DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH PROMOTION PROJECTS AMONG TYPE 2 PATIENTS ENTERING DIABETES REMISSION BASE ON LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IN KUT CHAP, UDON THANI

Abstract

Diabetes is a group of chronic diseases posing a significant public health challenge in every country worldwide. Controlling patients' blood glucose levels to normal or achieving remission relies on health promotion and enhancing correct self-management skills. This action research aimed to develop a health promotion operation for Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients to achieve remission based on lifestyle medicine principles in the Mueang Phia community, Kut Chap District, Udon Thani Province. The study applied the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle. Key informants consisted of 15 individuals selected by purposive sampling, including the project working group, a multidisciplinary team, and Village Health Volunteers (VHVs). The sample group comprised 35 T2D patients selected by simple random sampling based on inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a developed health status index assessment tool and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Paired t-test). The results revealed that the health promotion model for T2D remission based on lifestyle medicine consisted of 11 activities: (1) Early knowledge/screening, (2) Goal setting, (3) Building muscle mass, (4) Intermittent fasting ('Sao Kin Doo'), (5) Nutritional guidance (controlled carbohydrates, adequate protein, healthy fats), (6) Medication management, (7) Sleep hygiene, (8) Stress reduction (Thai traditional methods), (9) Group learning, (10) Self-monitoring logbook, and (11) Consultation with the multidisciplinary team. Following the intervention, the sample group's mean scores for lifestyle medicine adherence behaviors were significantly higher than before the program (p < 0.05). Furthermore, all average health status indices showed significant improvement post-intervention compared to pre-intervention (p < 0.05).