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The Effect of Patient Education through Social Media on the COVID-19-Related Anxiety in Patients with Diabetes: A Single-Blind Clinical Trial

Background and Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the level of anxiety in patients with diabetes and educating patients in this field can be an appropriate method to reduce their level of anxiety. The present study aimed to determine the effect of patient education through social media on the COVID-19-related anxiety in patients with diabetes.
Materials and Methods: The present single-blind clinical trial was conducted at the teaching hospitals of Zanjan, Iran in 2022. A total of 113 diabetic patients were selected using convenience sampling and then divided into two groups of experimental (n = 58) and control (n = 55) by simple random allocation. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS). Training related to COVID-19 was provided to the intervention group at a two-week interval, while the control group only received routine care. Data were entered into SPSS software (version 26) and then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Patients in both groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics (P >0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean scores of anxiety in the intervention group at two measurement points before and after the intervention (P <0.05). However, the difference in the mean score of anxiety failed to be found significant between the two groups after the intervention (P >0.05).
Conclusion: Educational intervention through social media slightly reduces COVID-19-related anxiety in patients with diabetes. Therefore, social media is suggested as a convenient and accessible method to educate patients on Covid-19.