Development of a Digital Health Supported Diabetes Prevention Program (PRIME) based in Malaysian Community Pharmacies

Abstract

Background: Prediabetes is a high-risk state for developing type-2 diabetes mellitus, where evidence-based lifestyle management programs were proven to substantially reduce its risk progression. PRIME is a mobile application equipped with features such as education modules, chat functions, diet, physical activity and sleep tracking, weight and biochemistry monitoring. With the help of community pharmacists as health coaches, lifestyle interventions targeting on weight reduction among people with prediabetes will be delivered via PRIME.

Aims: To examine the usability, acceptability, feasibility and preliminary efficacy of PRIME.

Methods: This pilot study will consist of two phases: 1) user testing 2) single-arm pre- and post- intervention study. For phase 1, participants will be invited to test the features of PRIME. Feedback on usability and acceptability will be collected via a short survey and a short interview or text messaging. For phase 2, adults with prediabetes will be recruited from a community pharmacy in Klang Valley, Malaysia to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of PRIME. Data will be collected at baseline and 1-month follow-up, including a survey on knowledge, attitude and practice towards prediabetes, biochemistry and anthropometry measures such as weight, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and lipid profile. An in-depth interview with the participants will be conducted post-intervention to collect qualitative data on their perception towards PRIME.

Results and conclusion: This research is still at its preliminary stage, findings will be available before the conference.