Development and Validation of Self-Management Infographics for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rural Kenya

Area of Science:

• Health communication
• Patient education
• Chronic disease management

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing concern, particularly in rural areas.
• Preventing complications like chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires effective patient self-management strategies.
• Tailored educational materials are crucial for improving health literacy and adherence in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a set of infographics for T2DM self-management.
• To enhance CKD prevention among T2DM patients in rural Kenya.
• To assess the comprehensibility and effectiveness of visual health education tools.

Main Methods:

• An iterative, participatory design process involving graphic designers and patients.
• Development of self-management infographics based on identified goals, audience, messages, and symbols.
• Validation using participatory groups with T2DM patients and healthcare workers, guided by ISO 9186 standards.

Main Results:

• 28 infographics achieved a comprehension score above 66%.
• Key factors influencing comprehensibility included inclusion of text, prior knowledge, viewer perception, image familiarity, and intuitive design elements (color, measurement).
• An iterative approach significantly improved infographic clarity and relevance.

Conclusions:

• An iterative, participatory approach is a viable strategy for creating effective, tailored health infographics.
• Infographics can be successfully adapted for specific populations to support chronic disease self-management.
• This method holds promise for improving patient education and health outcomes in resource-limited settings.