Background : The global burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) continues to rise, with Indonesia projected to reach over 28 million cases by 2045. Limited access to continuous education and follow-up care in low-resource primary care settings necessitates scalable digital health solutions to support self-management. Objective : This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile health (mHealth) application in reducing HbA1c levels among T2DM patients in Indonesian primary care. Methods : A quasi-experimental, two-arm study was conducted over 24 weeks across 10 public health centers (Puskesmas) in Bandung. One hundred patients with T2DM (HbA1c 8%) were assigned to either an intervention group (mHealth application supported by integrated pharmacist consultation) or a control group (standard care). The primary outcome was the change in HbA1c levels measured at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. Results : The intervention group showed a significant reduction in HbA1c from 9.31% to 8.13% (p = 0.001), while the control group showed minimal change (from 8.99% to 8.96%, p = 0.021). Glycemic trends in the intervention group were consistent and progressive, indicating improved adherence and self-management. Boxplot analysis demonstrated reduced variability and tighter glycemic control in the intervention group. High usability and engagement were observed among older adults and participants with low educational backgrounds. Conclusion : The mHealth intervention significantly improved glycemic control and promoted consistent self-care among Indonesian T2DM patients. These findings suggest that scalable digital solutions may enhance diabetes management in primary care systems in low- and middle-income countries.
Rindarwati et al. (Fri,) studied this question.