Impact of WhatsApp-Based Self-Care Education on Self-Care Behaviors and Lifestyle in Overweight and Obese Pregnant Women with Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Self-care education for overweight and obese pregnant women with diabetes can empower them to make informed decisions during pregnancy. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of WhatsApp-delivered self-care education on self-care behaviors and lifestyle in this population. Methods: This randomized controlled trial involved eighty pregnant women with diabetes in Ahvaz, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: One receiving face-to-face education and the other receiving a combination of face-to-face and WhatsApp-delivered online education. Blood glucose levels [fasting blood sugar (FBS), 2-hour postprandial (2HPP)], oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results, lifestyle scores, and self-care scores were measured before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Post-intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significantly lower one-hour (119.32 ± 16.54 vs. 163.55 ± 27.07, P=0.007) and two-hour (106.25 ± 15.65 vs. 147.77 ± 24.73, P = 0.028) postprandial blood glucose levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, lifestyle scores improved significantly in the intervention group (154.27 ± 23.24 vs. 42.65 ± 17.58), and self-care scores were markedly higher (141.85 ± 26.64 vs. 56.02 ± 11.63), both showing strong statistical significance (P < 0.001). Conclusions: WhatsApp-based self-care education is an effective intervention for reducing blood glucose levels and enhancing lifestyle and self-care behaviors in pregnant women with diabetes.