Association of a Health Belief Model-Based Digital Health Intervention with Glycolipid Metabolism and Health Behaviors in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Quasi-Experimental Before-After Study

Purpose

Integrated management of blood glucose and lipids reduces complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, few community-based programs combine mobile health (mHealth) technology, Health Belief Model (HBM)-based education, behavioral strategies, and family support within one framework, and evidence in Chinese community settings is limited. We examined whether a 12-month HBM-based intervention was associated with changes in glycolipid metabolism and health behaviors among community-dwelling older adults with T2DM in Tianjin, China. Patients and methods: This quasi-experimental, single-arm, uncontrolled before-after (pre-post) study included 114 T2DM patients (mean age 72.25 ± 5.63 years) managed at a community health service center; no parallel control group was enrolled. Paired samples t-tests and McNemar tests assessed changes in metabolic parameters and categorical health behaviors, respectively.