A Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare the Cost-effectiveness of Group Versus Weblog-telecommunication Nutrition Education Program on Glycemic, Lipids, and Anthropometric Control of Patients with Type- 2 Diabetes: Study Protocol

Background: Education is the most important principle in managing diseases, especially diabetes. On the other hand, economic burden of diabetes is another important issue. Thus, this study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of group vs. Weblog-Telecommunication (Web-Tel) nutrition education on glycemic, lipids, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices of type-2 diabetic patients. Methods: This randomized controlled trial study will be conducted in health centers of Bushehr city. One-hundred five patients with type 2 diabetes will randomly be assigned to one of the three groups: group education, Web-Tel education, and the control. The study has two phases. The first phase (or preintervention phase) will last two weeks and the second phase (or intervention phase) 12 weeks. In group education, in addition to the usual cares, the participants will receive group seminars monthly (3 seminars in total), while the Web-Tel group will receive education via website monthly (3 sessions in total) besides the usual cares, and the control group will receive the usual cares. The outcomes include glycemic, lipids, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices. Also, the cost of each arm will be calculated. Conclusion: The present study will compare the two methods of nutrition education to determine the more cost-effective nutrition education method for patients with diabetes which can help them in self-care and costs reduction.