Association Between Diabetes Mellitus Education and Self-Management Pre- and Post-COVID-19.

Purpose: This study explored the association between diabetes education and self-management during different COVID-19 periods.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Korea Community Health Survey (2019, 2021, and 2022) and the data from Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Participants: 78, 860 individuals with diabetes who participated in the 2019, 2021, and 2022 KCHS.

Measure: Diabetes education was categorized according to whether individuals received education on how to manage the disease. Diabetes self-management was assessed using self-checking and screening of HbA1c levels.

Analysis: Multiple logistic regression analysis and a subgroup analysis examined the regional impact of COVID-19 on this association.

Results: Participants who received education before and after COVID-19 were more likely to self-manage their diabetes than those without education (pre-COVID-19 aOR = 2.11, post-COVID-19, 2022 aOR = 2.04, and post-COVID-19, 2021 aOR = 1.94). Those in regions with lower COVID-19 incidence had slightly higher self-management rates (pre-COVID-19 aOR = 2.37; post-COVID-19 2022 aOR = 2.33; post-COVID-19 2021 aOR = 2.02) compared to participants in high-incidence regions (pre-COVID-19 aOR = 1.96; post COVID-19 2021 aOR = 1.89 and post COVID-19 2022 aOR = 1.89).

Conclusions: Diabetes education has a positive impact on self-management, which is especially important during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.