Effect of Family Empowerment on HbA1c Levels and Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Abstract

<i>Objective</i>. To evaluate the effectiveness of family empowerment through educational interventions against HbA1c level and healing progress of diabetic foot ulcers. <i>Method</i>. A quasi-experimental design was employed involving 33 participants from 4 wound care clinics in Makassar, eastern Indonesia. The intervention group consisted of 17 participants and their families; the control group was composed of 16 participants who received nonstructural education. Family empowerment was measured by the Indonesian version of the Family Empowerment Scale instrument. Glycemic control was evaluated with HbA1c levels, and the wound healing process was evaluated on the Diabetic Foot Ulcers Assessment Scale. <i>Result</i>. After 3 months, Family Empowerment Scale scores improved, particularly in the subdomain of family knowledge (16.59 ± 3.92 vs 13.38 ± 1.26; <i>P</i> = .005) and attitude (3.65 ± 0.93 vs 2.75 ± 0.45; <i>P</i> = .002). After 3 months of intervention, HbA1c decreased (from 10.47 ± 2.44% to 8.81 ± 1.83%), compared with the control group (<i>P</i> = .048). Meanwhile, an independent <i>t</i> test further revealed that the wound healing process tended to be better with the intervention group (4.71 ± 7.74) compared with the control group (17.25 ± 17.06), with <i>P</i> = .010 at the third month. <i>Conclusion</i>. Family-based education intervention creates family empowerment to control HbA1c levels and accelerate wound healing of diabetic foot ulcer.