International Journal of Computer Applications |
Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA |
Volume 184 - Number 29 |
Year of Publication: 2022 |
Authors: Doris Ohui Agbettor, Michael Asante |
10.5120/ijca2022922362 |
Doris Ohui Agbettor, Michael Asante . The Impact of Information Technology on the Management of Diabetes – A Case Study of the Trust Hospital, Accra. International Journal of Computer Applications. 184, 29 ( Sep 2022), 6-17. DOI=10.5120/ijca2022922362
Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes serious, life-threatening complications like stroke, heart attack, amputation, impotence, and blindness. In Ghana, most Diabetic patients visit the health facility quarterly at which time their blood glucose levels are checked. This study therefore sought to ascertain the impact of Information Technology tools such as the glucometer, Mobile ‘app’ and the use of the phone on diabetic patients’ self-management of the disease and how this is reflected in their blood glucose control. A randomized controlled trial was used for the study. Forty people diagnosed with type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes participated. The study evaluated the impact of the glucometer, blood glucose tracker system and the mobile telephone in the treatment and management of diabetic patients. Two groups were involved in the study; those who used the intervention (experimental group) and those who did not use the intervention (control group) with 20 participants in each group. The experimental group had their blood glucose monitored constantly over a period of 12 weeks using a glucometer and a mobile ‘app’ and interventions given as and when needed. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values were estimated for all participants before and after the study period. Results were analyzed using paired t-test. The HbA1c final measurements showed significant improvement in the experimental group and none of them was diagnosed with additional Diabetic complications at the end of the period of study.