Effect of Health Education Program on Knowledge, Lifestyle and Health Profile of Prediabetic Employees in Zagazig University

Background: Prediabetes is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. So, its early detection and management are important. Objective(s): To identify the prediabetics among employees of Zagazig University. To assess the effect of a health education program on prediabetics' knowledge, lifestyle and health profile. Methods: Prediabetics were detected among 556 participants working in the managerial departments of Zagazig University, through two steps; firstly, screening by FINDRISC questionnaire then Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HBA1c) testing for those with FINDRISC scores of ≥ 15. The intervention was in the form of group education targeting adoption of a healthy lifestyle through providing knowledge and using behaviour change methods like goal setting, action planning and problem-solving with follow up for six months. Results: The participants with FINDRISC scores of ≥ 15 were 46.9%, only 21.9% of them were actually prediabetics. After the intervention, there was highly significant increase in the percent of participants with satisfactory knowledge and healthy lifestyle practices (p=0.00), and highly significant reduction in the mean value of FPG, HbA1c, body mass index and waist circumference. Conclusion: Health education was an effective tool that implicated a change in prediabetics' knowledge, lifestyle and health profile.