Type 2 diabetes is a major and growing public health challenge, both for patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Its management and control largely depend on patients’ self-care behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a digital educational intervention based on Orem’s Self-Care Theory on improving self-care behaviors, self-efficacy, and HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes in Rasht, Iran. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2024 on 96 patients with type 2 diabetes in Rasht. A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to allocate patients into two groups: the intervention group (receiving the digital educational program) and the control group, with 48 participants in each. Data collection tools included the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCA), Orem’s Self-Care Needs Assessment Questionnaire, and the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire/Scale. HbA1c levels were assessed via blood samples. The digital educational program followed a “Microlearning approach” delivered over 8 sessions across 4 weeks (two sessions per week) in short digital modules. Data were collected at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after, and two months post-intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square, ANOVA, Friedman, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney U tests through SPSS version 23. The mean age of patients in the intervention group was 52.54 ± 7.07 years, while in the control group it was 54.45 ± 6.94 years, with no significant demographic differences between groups. Prior to the intervention, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of self-care needs, self-efficacy, self-care behaviors, or HbA1c levels (p > 0.05). However, after the intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in self-care behaviors, self-efficacy, and self-care requisites, as well as a significant reduction in HbA1c levels compared to the control group (all p < 0.001). These improvements were sustained at the two-month follow-up. The findings suggest that the combined application of Orem’s Self-Care Model and self-efficacy theory in digital self-care education programs, particularly through mobile-based digital platforms, can enhance self-care behaviors and reduce HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare professionals incorporate this educational method into routine diabetes care, especially for patients who face barriers to attending in-person sessions due to physical limitations, distance, cost, or other factors. IRCT20240529061941N2 Avaiable at: https://en.irct.ir/trial/89349
Jennat-Fereidooni et al. (Fri,) studied this question.