Effectiveness of Smartphone Application “Gororokapp” for Type 2 Diabetes Patients’ Self-Management in Rwanda: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

BackgroundType 2 diabetes has become a public health concern, representing more than 90%of all types of diabetes and affecting 536.6 million people worldwide in 2021. It isa disabling condition and is considered a major risk factor for developing chroniccomplication such as cardiovascular diseases if not well controlled. Studies haveshown that individuals with diabetes can make a positive impact on the outcomesof their disease by participating to their healthcare. Contextualized innovative andeffective applications are needed to facilitate individuals with diabetes to participateto their care.AimTo assess the effectiveness of Smartphone Application “GororokApp” in monitoringof glucose control among type 2 diabetes individuals.Materials & MethodsA Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was used to assess the effectiveness of smartphoneapplication (GororokApp) in monitoring of glucose control for self-management bythe patients with type 2 diabetes in Rwanda. Participants in intervention group usedthe GororokApp and recorded their blood glucose measurements and received healthcare advice remotely while the control group continued routine care. The participantswere followed up over a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were glycatedhaemoglobin, and daily blood glucose measurements.ResultsAfter 12 weeks of follow up, the intervention and control, groups demonstrateddifference of changes in glycated haemoglobin; whereby in the intervention groupthe glycated haemoglobin reduced from 8.45±2.93 to 6.89±1.86 (p ≤ 0.001),whereas in the control group the glycated haemoglobin increased from 7.12±2.52 to 8.14±2.17 (p ≤0.001).ConclusionThe smartphone application “GororokApp” is effective in self-monitoring andmanagement of the daily blood glucose levels in intervention group to achievetreatment targets of blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin among individualswith type 2 diabetes.Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2024;7(1):79-88