Use of Mobile Technology: Effects on Diabetic Health Outcomes and Health Care Costs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Authors

Ahmad M. Rayani, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Nursing

First Advisor's Name

Dr. Jean Hannan

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Dr. Ellen Brown

Second Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Dr. Carmen Caicedo

Third Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Dr. Timothy Page

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Keywords

public health, community nursing

Date of Defense

5-27-2022

Abstract

Diabetes in Saudi Arabia has reached an epidemic rate and is a significant cause of major medical complications, premature death, and health costs. Recent statistics indicates that up to 30% of Saudi population are diabetic and this number is expected to increase. As diabetes is increasing in extremely high rates in Saudi Arabia, a texting intervention has the potential in improving the health outcomes for this population. This data is needed in Saudi Arabia to improve the outcomes with diabetic patients and to guide the development of practice models with the aim to improve diabetics non-adherence to medically prescribed treatments and their complex self-management plans. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to examine a texting intervention using a Smartphone with diabetics in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: An intervention group received text message reminders 3 times a week for two months plus the routine care. Control group received the routine care. Data were collected on quality of life, medication adherence and healthcare costs on day 1 (baseline), weeks 4, and 8. Results: Findings indicate that intervention group benefited from the texting intervention as reflected in their health outcomes, quality of life, medication adherence and healthcare costs. The intervention group had higher scores for quality of life, medication adherence, decreased unscheduled healthcare visits and healthcare costs.

These study results indicate that an educational texting intervention with this sample of diabetic Saudi Arabians was culturally receptive by them and an effective, safe intervention that improved their quality of life, increased their medication adherence and decreased healthcare costs Relevance to Clinical Practice: Text messages aimed at improving the health of diabetics had a significant effect on healthcare charges and health outcomes in this sample. The intervention group benefited from 2 months text messages intervention. Healthcare providers are in a unique position to apply these interventions in regions that are lacking this technology such as Saudi Arabia.

Identifier

FIDC010811

Recommended Citation

Rayani, Ahmad M., "Use of Mobile Technology: Effects on Diabetic Health Outcomes and Health Care Costs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" (2022). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5128.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5128