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Published:
Apr 8, 2024DOI:
10.4314/rjmhs.v7i1.6Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Effectiveness of Smartphone Application “Gororokapp” for Type 2 Diabetes Patients’ Self-Management in Rwanda: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background
Type 2 diabetes has become a public health concern, representing more than 90%
of all types of diabetes and affecting 536.6 million people worldwide in 2021. It is
a disabling condition and is considered a major risk factor for developing chronic
complication such as cardiovascular diseases if not well controlled. Studies have
shown that individuals with diabetes can make a positive impact on the outcomes
of their disease by participating to their healthcare. Contextualized innovative and
effective applications are needed to facilitate individuals with diabetes to participate
to their care.
Aim
To assess the effectiveness of Smartphone Application “GororokApp” in monitoring
of glucose control among type 2 diabetes individuals.
Materials & Methods
A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was used to assess the effectiveness of smartphone
application (GororokApp) in monitoring of glucose control for self-management by
the patients with type 2 diabetes in Rwanda. Participants in intervention group used
the GororokApp and recorded their blood glucose measurements and received health
care advice remotely while the control group continued routine care. The participants
were followed up over a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were glycated
haemoglobin, and daily blood glucose measurements.
Results
After 12 weeks of follow up, the intervention and control, groups demonstrated
difference of changes in glycated haemoglobin; whereby in the intervention group
the glycated haemoglobin reduced from 8.45±2.93 to 6.89±1.86 (p ≤ 0.001),
whereas in the control group the glycated haemoglobin increased from 7.12±2.52 to 8.14±2.17 (p ≤0.001).
Conclusion
The smartphone application “GororokApp” is effective in self-monitoring and
management of the daily blood glucose levels in intervention group to achieve
treatment targets of blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin among individuals
with type 2 diabetes.
Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2024;7(1):79-88
