Implementation and evaluation of a primary diabetes prevention programme for young adult employees in Japan: A non‐randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Aim To determine the effects of a primary diabetes prevention programme created for healthy young adults. Design This study was a non‐randomized controlled trial. Methods The participants were 20–39‐year‐old employees of two automobile sales companies. The intervention group (N = 154) received six original educational brochures and films created specifically for young adults, while the control group (N = 157) received none. Data were collected pre‐intervention and immediately after and 10 weeks after intervention. Change in knowledge about diabetes, its prevention and health management were measured. Results Overall, 129 interventions and 141 controls completed the trial. In items related to diabetes prevention, the intervention group increased their knowledge relative to controls (all p < .05). Awareness of susceptibility to diabetes also increased more in the interventions (p = .029). The interventions also improved more with items related to dietary behaviour (p < .05). This trial has been registered with UMIN‐CTR clinical trial (UMIN000023749).

Keywords

• diabetes
• employee
• health education
• occupational health
• primary prevention
• young adults