Effectiveness of the Smart ME-DE Digital Program on Health Literacy and Glycemic Control in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes often have limited knowledge and self-management skills, leading to poor glycemic control and increased complications. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Smart ME-DE Digital Program in improving health literacy and glycated hemoglobin levels among newly diagnosed individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with seventy participants recruited from diabetes clinics at three hospitals in a central province of Thailand. They were selected using simple random sampling and matched by gender, age, and baseline HbA1c levels, and allocated to an experimental or comparison group. The experimental group received the Smart ME-DE digital program for 16 weeks, while the comparison group received standard care. Data were collected at Baseline, Week 8, and Week 16. Repeated-measures ANOVA examined changes in health literacy and HbA1c levels over time and between groups. Results: Health literacy in the experimental group improved significantly at Weeks 8 and 16 compared with baseline and the comparison group (p < 0.001). HbA1c decreased significantly in both groups at Week 16; however, the reduction was greater in the experimental group, with a significant group–time interaction (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Smart ME-DE Digital Program significantly improved health literacy and glycemic outcomes among individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Integration into routine diabetes care may support early self-management. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-up are recommended.   Keywords: Digital health, Glycated hemoglobin, Health literacy, Type 2 diabetes mellitus