• Mr. Rushikesh Bhagwat Dighe
• Dr. (Mrs.) Kalpana Kale
• Dr. Rajendra Lamkhede

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major chronic health problem among older adults and requires adequate knowledge and appropriate health-seeking behavior for effective disease management and prevention of complications. Elderly individuals living in rural areas may face difficulties in accessing health information and appropriate healthcare services. Nurse-led educational programs may help improve diabetes-related knowledge and promote appropriate health-seeking behavior. Aim: The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a nurse-led program on diabetes mellitus knowledge and health-seeking behavior among elderly individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a selected rural area of Rahata Taluka, Maharashtra. Methods: A quantitative quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test control group design was used. A total of 100 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were selected from a rural area of Rahata Taluka using purposive sampling. The participants were equally allocated to an experimental group (n=50) and a control group (n=50). Data were collected using a socio-demographic and clinical data form, the Modified Michigan Diabetes Knowledge Test, and a Health-Seeking Behaviour Checklist. The experimental group received a nurse-led programme, while the control group received routine care. Pre-test and post-test assessments were conducted to evaluate diabetes-related knowledge and health-seeking behaviour. Results: In the pre-test, poor knowledge was observed among 64% of participants in the experimental group and 66% in the control group, while only 6% in each group had good knowledge. Following the intervention, the proportion of participants with good knowledge increased to 80% in the experimental group, whereas it remained 6% in the control group. The mean post-test knowledge score was higher in the experimental group (10.58 ± 2.49) than in the control group (5.60 ± 2.62), with a statistically significant between-group difference (t=9.74, p=.001). Similarly, the mean post-test health-seeking behaviour score was higher in the experimental group (47.66 ± 8.62) than in the control group (30.72 ± 9.16), with a statistically significant difference (t=9.52, p=.001). No statistically significant associations were reported between the pre-test levels of knowledge and health-seeking behaviour and the selected socio-demographic variables. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the nurse-led programme was effective in improving diabetes-related knowledge and health-seeking behaviour among elderly individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the selected rural area. Nurse-led educational interventions may be incorporated into community-based diabetes care to strengthen health education, promote appropriate health-seeking practices, and support diabetes self-management among older adults.

Nurse-led programme; Diabetes mellitus; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Knowledge; Health-seeking behaviour; Elderly; Rural area.

"“A Study To Assess The Effectiveness Of A Nurse- Led Program On Diabetes Mellitus Knowledge And Health-Seeking Behaviour Among Elderly In Selected Rural Area Of Rahata Taluka.’’", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 10, page no.a506-a515, October-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2610055.pdf

"“A Study To Assess The Effectiveness Of A Nurse- Led Program On Diabetes Mellitus Knowledge And Health-Seeking Behaviour Among Elderly In Selected Rural Area Of Rahata Taluka.’’", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 10, page no. ppa506-a515, October-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2610055.pdf