PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Hana R. Al-Bannay AU - Lyn E. Jongbloed AU - Tal Jarus AU - Sami S. Alabdulwahab AU - Tawfik A. Khoja AU - Elizabeth Dean TI - Outcomes of a type 2 diabetes education program adapted to the cultural contexts of Saudi women AID - 10.15537/smj.2015.7.11681 DP - 2015 Jul 01 TA - Saudi Medical Journal PG - 869--873 VI - 36 IP - 7 4099 - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/7/869.short 4100 - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/7/869.full SO - Saudi Med J2015 Jul 01; 36 AB - Objective: To explore the outcomes of a pilot intervention of a type 2 diabetes (T2D) education program, based on international standards, and adapted to the cultural and religious contexts of Saudi women.Methods: This study is an experiment of a pilot intervention carried out between August 2011 and January 2012 at the primary health clinics in Dammam. Women at risk of or diagnosed with T2D (N=35 including dropouts) were assigned to one of 2 groups; an intervention group participated in a pilot intervention of T2D education program, based on international standards and tailored to their cultural and religious contexts; and a usual care group received the usual care for diabetes in Saudi Arabia. Outcomes included blood glucose, body composition, 6-minute walk distance, life satisfaction, quality of life, and diabetes knowledge. The intervention group participated in a focus group of their program experience. Data analysis was based on mixed methods.Results: Based on 95% confidence interval comparisons, improvements were noted in blood sugar, 6-minute walk distance, quality of life, and diabetes knowledge in participants of the intervention group. They also reported improvements in lifestyle-related health behaviors after the education program.Conclusion: Saudi women may benefit from a T2D education program based on international standards and adapted to their cultural and religious contexts.