Comparison the effect of education using pictographs and lectures on the lifestyle of the elderly with type 2 diabetes

Introduction: A significant part of the complications of type 2 diabetes can be reduced through proper education and lifestyle changes. The use of image-based educational materials is one of the ways to provide clear and understandable information to illiterate or low literate people. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the effect of education using pictographs and lectures on the lifestyle of diabetic elderly referred to Rafsanjan Diabetes Clinic. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 105 elderly people referring to Rafsanjan Diabetes Clinic were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups of 35 people. In one group, lifestyle trainings were presented using pictographs and in the other group, trainings were presented through lectures. The control group received routine training. Data were collected using a Health-Promoting Lifestyle Questionnaire before and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.18 and statistical tests such as independent samples t test. Paired t test, chi square and ANOVA. Results: Based on the results, the mean lifestyle scores of patients in the intervention groups 1 and 2 improved significantly after the intervention (P = 0.001), while the means of total lifestyle score in the two intervention groups were not significantly different (P = 0.105). Conclusion: Education using pictographs improved the lifestyle of diabetic elderly to the extent of lecturing, so this method is recommended for educating illiterate or low literate elderly.