Development of Simplified Diabetes Nutrition Education Tools for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Basrah, Iraq

Hashim, Saman Agad; Al Jassim, Nada Hashim; Mansour, Abbas Ali

doi:10.30476/ijns.2025.103968.1345

Development of Simplified Diabetes Nutrition Education Tools for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Basrah, Iraq

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Saman Agad Hashim ¹

Nada Hashim Al jassim ²

Abbas Ali Mansour ³

¹ Southern Technical University, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Basrah, Iraq

² Department of Surgery, Al Maaqal Private University, Basrah, Iraq

³ Faiha Specialized Diabetes, Endocrine, and Metabolism Center, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq

10.30476/ijns.2025.103968.1345

Abstract

Background: Effective patient education is an essential component in management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to develop simplified Diabetes Nutrition Education Tools (SDNETs) to educate patients with T2DM.
Methods: The study began with a published need assessment study. SDNETs were developed guided based on Health Belief Model theory, literature reviews and guidance from a panel of reviewers recruited for content validity. Then, face validity, readability, and acceptability were assessed using a 14-item Health Literacy (HL) scale and the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) instrument in 30 patients with T2DM.
Results: Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s α (0.72, n=30), while test-retest reliability (0.86, n=30) was evaluated utilizing Pearson correlation. SDNETs had a HL score of 57.1% indicating the readability and acceptability among the patients. The SAM instrument’s score was 85% indicating the SDNET curriculum’s suitability.
Conclusion: The Iraqi-based culture-integrated plate method was the most straightforward and comprehensive technique in the SDNET curriculum. The SDNETs were determined to be a valid and reliable tool for improving glycemic control through diabetes nutrition education among patients with T2DM in Basrah, Iraq.

Keywords

Simplified diabetes nutrition education tools

Type 2 diabetes

Health belief model theory

Suitability assessment of materials

Iraq