Oral Health KnowledgeNCT07323771
Improving Oral Health Knowledge and Habits in People With Diabetes Through a Theory Guided WhatsApp Education Program
A study testing Health Belief Model (HBM) Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education Program and Educational Brochure Group in people with Oral Health Knowledge and Oral Health Behavior Change, run by Dow University of Health Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
The goal of this Educational interventional study is to test the usefulness of an educational program delivered through WhatsApp videos in increasing oral health knowledge and habits in people with Diabetes between the age of 18 and 65 years. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Oral Health Knowledge, Oral Health Behavior Change, Diabetes Type 2
- What is being tested?
- Health Belief Model (HBM) Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education Program and Educational Brochure Group
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 98 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 15 Sep 2025to 30 Nov 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 18-65 years with a confirmed diagnosis of T2DM
- Able to use WhatsApp for the study duration
- Able to read and write in Urdu
Who cannot join
- Edentulous
- Individuals diagnosed with life-threatening diseases such as advanced cancer, end-stage renal disease, or severe cardiac failure
- Diminished cognitive ability
- Radiotherapy in head and neck region.
- Planning to migrate during the study period.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effectiveness of Educational Intervention Based on Health Belief Model Delivered Via WhatsApp on Oral Health Knowledge and Behaviors of Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; A Randomized Controlled Trial
The goal of this Educational interventional study is to test the usefulness of an educational program delivered through WhatsApp videos in increasing oral health knowledge and habits in people with Diabetes between the age of 18 and 65 years. The main question it aims to answer is:
Does a WhatsApp-based educational Program improve oral health knowledge and behaviors in people with diabetes, and is it more effective than education delivered through brochures? Participants in one group will receive educational videos through WhatsApp, while the other group receive a brochure containing oral health information. Researchers will then compare the groups to see if the intervention made a difference.
Read more
Participants will:
- Fill a baseline questionnaire to assess their current knowledge and behaviors.
- They then either participate in a one-month educational program delivered through WhatsApp, or receive an educational brochure.
- Wait for 1 month after the program to allow for application of knowledge.
- Fill a post intervention questionnaire to assess changes in knowledge and behavior.
Read the detailed description
The purpose of this study is to determine whether an educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and delivered through WhatsApp may improve diabetes patients' oral health behaviors and knowledge. This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two groups: an intervention group (WhatsApp-based education) and a control group (brochure-based education). Adults (18-65 years) with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus from a diabetes clinic in Karachi were recruited. 98 participants (49 in each group) were selected through random allocation. The randomization process ensured that participants are evenly distributed between the groups based on key factors, specifically gender, educational level and duration of diabetes to reduce potential bias from these characteristics. This study was a single blinded study in which participants were not informed about the existence of two distinct groups. The WhatsApp based intervention consisted of 12 short educational videos, each approximately 3 to 5 minutes in duration, these videos were sent individually to each participant every alternate day from Monday to Friday, resulting in three videos per week over a period of one month, Reminders were sent the following day after each video to encourage engagement and sustain behavior change. Each week was focused on specific HBM constructs delivered through short, professionally scripted educational videos in Urdu. Each week was focused on specific HBM constructs. The control group received only an educational brochure.
A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate participants' knowledge and oral hygiene practices at two points: baseline (before intervention) and one-month post-intervention. The questionnaire was designed to measure HBM constructs (e.g. perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy), awareness of oral care and oral hygiene related behaviors. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 27.
- Being tested
- Health Belief Model (HBM) Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education Program, Educational Brochure Group
- Keywords
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Dental Health Education, Health Belief Model, Digital Health, Social Media
- Medical subject headings
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Health Belief Model (HBM) Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education ProgramBehavioural
The program includes short educational videos, weekly thematic content, reminders, and behavior-reinforcement messages aimed at enhancing oral health knowledge, HBM constructs, and oral hygiene behaviors among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Educational Brochure GroupBehavioural
The Educational brochure provides information on the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and oral health and recommended oral hygiene practices. No WhatsApp based videos are provided during the study period
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Brochure Group | Other | Participants in this group receive oral health education through an educational brochure Receives: Behavioral: Educational Brochure Group |
| Health Belief Model Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education Program | Other | Participants receive a Health Belief Model (HBM) based oral health education program through WhatsApp videos for four weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Health Belief Model (HBM) Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Oral Health Knowledge Score
The participant's knowledge about the relationship between diabetes and oral health issues, will be assessed through a structured Questionnaire consisting of 10 binary items. (Yes = 1, No = 0). A total knowledge score ranging from 0 to 10 will be calculated by summing item responses, with higher scores indicating greater oral health knowledge. Pre- and post-knowledge scores will be compared, and cutoff scores will be calculated using the mean and Standard Deviation.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention
Secondary outcomes (2)
Health Belief Model Construct Scores
Health Belief Model constructs, including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action, will be assessed using a structured Questionnaire. Items will be measured on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Separate construct scores will be calculated by summing item responses within each domain, with higher scores indicating stronger beliefs or perceptions related to oral health behaviors.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention
Oral Hygiene Behavior Score
Participants' reported frequency and quality of oral health practices, including brushing, flossing, gingival health, and dental visits will be measured on a scale of 0(never) to 4(always) using a structured questionnaire. Higher scores indicate better oral hygiene-related behaviors. Pre- and post-intervention scores will be compared, and cutoff levels will be determined using the mean and standard deviation(SD).
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Jan 2026
- Study start15 Sep 2025
- Primary completion30 Nov 2025
- Study completion30 Nov 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Oral Health KnowledgeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group, following a 1:1 allocation ratio. The randomization process was stratified based on three key characteristics including gender, educational level, and duration of diabetes, to ensure balanced distribution and to minimize potential bias. Randomization was conducted using random number generator where each participant was assigned a random number, then participants were allocated equally into either Intervention Group which received HBM based education via WhatsApp or control Group which received an educational brochure.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 98 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Dow University of Health Sciences
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, ILMA KIRAN, Dow University of Health Sciences
- Investigators
- ILMA KIRAN, BDS, MPH, Principal investigator, Dow University of Health Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07323771
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB4057/DUHS/Approval/2025/294
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 8 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 7 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The study does not include a plan to make individual participant data (IPD) available due to privacy considerations and absence of participant consent for public data sharing.
Publications
Jacome-Hortua AM, Rincon-Rueda ZR, Sanchez-Ramirez DC, Angarita-Fonseca A. Effects of a WhatsApp-Assisted Health Educational Intervention for Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Protocol. Methods Protoc. 2024 Apr 19;7(2):35. doi: 10.3390/mps7020035.
PubMed 38668142Gao X, Wong ML, Kalhan AC, Xie JJ, Siti Hajar H, Yeo ABK, Allen PF. Theory-derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2022 Dec 12;12(12):e064791. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064791.
PubMed 36523250Jeihooni AK, Jamshidi H, Kashfi SM, Avand A, Khiyali Z. The Effect of Health Education Program Based on Health Belief Model on Oral Health Behaviors in Pregnant Women of Fasa City, Fars Province, South of Iran. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2017 Nov-Dec;7(6):336-343. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_339_17. Epub 2017 Dec 29.
PubMed 29387617Omar MA, Hasan S, Palaian S, Mahameed S. The impact of a self-management educational program coordinated through WhatsApp on diabetes control. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2020 Apr-Jun;18(2):1841. doi: 10.18549/PharmPract.2020.2.1841. Epub 2020 May 3.
PubMed 32477434Haghdoost A, Bakhshandeh S, Tohidi S, Ghorbani Z, Namdari M. Improvement of oral health knowledge and behavior of diabetic patients: an interventional study using the social media. BMC Oral Health. 2023 Jun 3;23(1):359. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-03007-w.
PubMed 37270487Malekmahmoodi M, Shamsi M, Roozbahani N, Moradzadeh R. A randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention to promote oral and dental health of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. BMC Public Health. 2020 Mar 4;20(1):287. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8395-4.
PubMed 32131790
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effectiveness of Educational Intervention Based on Health Belief Model Delivered Via WhatsApp on Oral Health Knowledge and Behaviors of Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07323771
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB4057/DUHS/Approval/2025/294
- Keywords
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Dental Health Education, Health Belief Model, Digital Health, Social Media
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 98 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Dow University of Health SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Nov 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this Educational interventional study is to test the usefulness of an educational program delivered through WhatsApp videos in increasing oral health knowledge and habits in people with Diabetes between the age of 18 and 65 years. The main question it aims to answer is:
Does a WhatsApp-based educational Program improve oral health knowledge and behaviors in people with diabetes, and is it more effective than education delivered through brochures? Participants in one group will receive educational videos through WhatsApp, while the other group receive a brochure containing oral health information. Researchers will then compare the groups to see if the intervention made a difference.
Participants will:
- Fill a baseline questionnaire to assess their current knowledge and behaviors.
- They then either participate in a one-month educational program delivered through WhatsApp, or receive an educational brochure.
- Wait for 1 month after the program to allow for application of knowledge.
- Fill a post intervention questionnaire to assess changes in knowledge and behavior.
Detailed description
The purpose of this study is to determine whether an educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and delivered through WhatsApp may improve diabetes patients' oral health behaviors and knowledge. This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two groups: an intervention group (WhatsApp-based education) and a control group (brochure-based education). Adults (18-65 years) with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus from a diabetes clinic in Karachi were recruited. 98 participants (49 in each group) were selected through random allocation. The randomization process ensured that participants are evenly distributed between the groups based on key factors, specifically gender, educational level and duration of diabetes to reduce potential bias from these characteristics. This study was a single blinded study in which participants were not informed about the existence of two distinct groups. The WhatsApp based intervention consisted of 12 short educational videos, each approximately 3 to 5 minutes in duration, these videos were sent individually to each participant every alternate day from Monday to Friday, resulting in three videos per week over a period of one month, Reminders were sent the following day after each video to encourage engagement and sustain behavior change. Each week was focused on specific HBM constructs delivered through short, professionally scripted educational videos in Urdu. Each week was focused on specific HBM constructs. The control group received only an educational brochure.
A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate participants' knowledge and oral hygiene practices at two points: baseline (before intervention) and one-month post-intervention. The questionnaire was designed to measure HBM constructs (e.g. perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy), awareness of oral care and oral hygiene related behaviors. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 27.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group, following a 1:1 allocation ratio. The randomization process was stratified based on three key characteristics including gender, educational level, and duration of diabetes, to ensure balanced distribution and to minimize potential bias. Randomization was conducted using random number generator where each participant was assigned a random number, then participants were allocated equally into either Intervention Group which received HBM based education via WhatsApp or control Group which received an educational brochure.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Brochure Group | Other | Behavioral: Educational Brochure GroupParticipants in this group receive oral health education through an educational brochure |
| Health Belief Model Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education Program | Other | Behavioral: Health Belief Model (HBM) Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education ProgramParticipants receive a Health Belief Model (HBM) based oral health education program through WhatsApp videos for four weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Adults aged 18-65 years with a confirmed diagnosis of T2DM
- Able to use WhatsApp for the study duration
- Able to read and write in Urdu
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Edentulous
- Individuals diagnosed with life-threatening diseases such as advanced cancer, end-stage renal disease, or severe cardiac failure
- Diminished cognitive ability
- Radiotherapy in head and neck region.
- Planning to migrate during the study period.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Health Belief Model (HBM) Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education ProgramThe program includes short educational videos, weekly thematic content, reminders, and behavior-reinforcement messages aimed at enhancing oral health knowledge, HBM constructs, and oral hygiene behaviors among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. | Behavioural | Health Belief Model Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education Program |
| Educational Brochure GroupThe Educational brochure provides information on the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and oral health and recommended oral hygiene practices. No WhatsApp based videos are provided during the study period | Behavioural | Educational Brochure Group |
Primary outcome
Oral Health Knowledge Score
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention
The participant's knowledge about the relationship between diabetes and oral health issues, will be assessed through a structured Questionnaire consisting of 10 binary items. (Yes = 1, No = 0). A total knowledge score ranging from 0 to 10 will be calculated by summing item responses, with higher scores indicating greater oral health knowledge. Pre- and post-knowledge scores will be compared, and cutoff scores will be calculated using the mean and Standard Deviation.
2 secondary outcomes
Health Belief Model Construct Scores
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention
Oral Hygiene Behavior Score
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Jan 2026.
- Background: PubMed 38668142Jacome-Hortua AM, Rincon-Rueda ZR, Sanchez-Ramirez DC, Angarita-Fonseca A. Effects of a WhatsApp-Assisted Health Educational Intervention for Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Protocol. Methods Protoc. 2024 Apr 19;7(2):35. doi: 10.3390/mps7020035.
- Background: PubMed 36523250Gao X, Wong ML, Kalhan AC, Xie JJ, Siti Hajar H, Yeo ABK, Allen PF. Theory-derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2022 Dec 12;12(12):e064791. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064791.
- Results publication: PubMed 29387617Jeihooni AK, Jamshidi H, Kashfi SM, Avand A, Khiyali Z. The Effect of Health Education Program Based on Health Belief Model on Oral Health Behaviors in Pregnant Women of Fasa City, Fars Province, South of Iran. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2017 Nov-Dec;7(6):336-343. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_339_17. Epub 2017 Dec 29.
- Results publication: PubMed 32477434Omar MA, Hasan S, Palaian S, Mahameed S. The impact of a self-management educational program coordinated through WhatsApp on diabetes control. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2020 Apr-Jun;18(2):1841. doi: 10.18549/PharmPract.2020.2.1841. Epub 2020 May 3.
- Results publication: PubMed 37270487Haghdoost A, Bakhshandeh S, Tohidi S, Ghorbani Z, Namdari M. Improvement of oral health knowledge and behavior of diabetic patients: an interventional study using the social media. BMC Oral Health. 2023 Jun 3;23(1):359. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-03007-w.
- Results publication: PubMed 32131790Malekmahmoodi M, Shamsi M, Roozbahani N, Moradzadeh R. A randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention to promote oral and dental health of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. BMC Public Health. 2020 Mar 4;20(1):287. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8395-4.
- Provides general information on the relationship between diabetes and oral health and guidance on maintaining good oral hygiene habits to prevent gum disease and oral complications.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Provides concise information on how diabetes increases the risk of oral diseases such as gum infection and tooth decay, and emphasizes the importance of good oral hygiene and regular dental care as part of diabetes management.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The study does not include a plan to make individual participant data (IPD) available due to privacy considerations and absence of participant consent for public data sharing.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
ILMA KIRAN, BDS, MPH principal investigator
Dow University of Health Sciences
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Health Belief Model (HBM) Based WhatsApp Oral Health Education Program and Educational Brochure Group in people with Oral Health Knowledge and Oral Health Behavior Change, run by Dow University of Health Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Oral Health Knowledge Score (time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07323771, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Jan 2026.