Comparison of Two Health Education Modalities on Safe Ramadan Fasting In People with Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Adult Muslims are obliged to start fasting during the month of Ramadan. Fasting entails refraining from all food, drink, tablets and injections(vitamins & fluids) between sunrise and sunset; a period which varies by geographical location and season. Children, elderly people, travelers, pregnant or nursing women and unhealthy individuals are exempt from fasting. Although exempt, many diabetics refuse to take this concession as they feel psychologically & spiritually inclined to fast along with other Muslims. This study aimed to compare between two modalities of diabetes education programs on safety & efficacy of them in safe Ramadan fasting in people with T1DM. It was conducted on 60 Type 1 diabetic patients intended to fast Ramadan 2017. All participants (60 subjects) received a basic health education program which was based on Diabetes conversational MAP (Living with diabetes), then participants were subdivided into 2 equal groups each of 30 subjects: Group 1 received Modified IDF health education program for Ramadan fasting (IDF group). Group 2 received Ramadan Conversational MAPS (MAPS group). All patients underwent full history taking, full clinical examination and biochemical tests including FBG, 2h PPBG, HbA1c and fructosamine.