Effects of a home‐based nursing intervention programme among adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Aims and objective To investigate the effects of a home‐based nursing intervention programme established based on the Health Promotion Model on the health outcomes of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Background After diagnosed with diabetes, it is necessary to ensure that nursing care is not limited to the hospital setting but continues at home. Design A quasi‐experimental design with a pre‐ and post‐test control group was used. The researchers have complied with the guidelines of TREND Checklist in presenting this study. Method This study was conducted in İzmir, Turkey, with 71 adolescents (35 in an intervention group and 36 in a control group) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus who were registered at the paediatric endocrinology outpatient clinics of two hospitals and were selected using the convenience sampling method between June–December 2017. A home‐based nursing intervention programme (5 week) was provided to the intervention group while standard care was provided to the control group. Data were collected at the baseline, and 3 and 6 months after a 5‐week home‐based nursing intervention. Multi‐way and one‐way analysis of variance, the Bonferroni correction, regression analysis, t test, chi‐squared analysis and a structural equation model were used for data analysis of the iterative measurements. Results At the end of the home‐based nursing intervention programme, the HbA1c mean scores significantly decreased, while self‐efficacy perception, frequency of managing diabetes and taking responsibility in managing diabetes increased in the intervention group compared to those in the control group. Frequency of admission to the hospital and average costs were lower in the intervention group than in control group. The home‐based nursing intervention programme using structural equation modelling increased the frequency of managing diabetes and taking responsibility in managing diabetes and decreased HbA1c levels. Conclusion The home‐based nursing intervention programme was effective in decreasing HbA1c levels, increasing the frequency of diabetes management and taking responsibility in managing diabetes, and improving the self‐efficacy of the adolescents. Relevance to clinical practice The home‐based nursing intervention programme can be applied by nurses to ease the transition of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and their parents to healthy daily life practices and ensure their glycemic controls after being discharged.