Care of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in school - An interventional study

Paucity of data from India on care of children with Type 1 diabetes in schools. Aims: To study assess the knowledge, attitude, practices and fear of Type 1 diabetes in school teachers and to assess the impact of an educational model on the fear of teachers and care of children in Type 1 DM at school hours.

A community based study, involving school teachers and the intervention being educating them about diabetes conducted. Data pertaining to basic demography, attitude of teachers towards diabetic children, Hypoglycemia fear factor survey- parent version with worries domain and preparedness of school was collected. An education program was conducted on diabetes care in children. Immediately and after three months, the proforma details and HFSP-W scores reassessed.

Forty two teachers (mean age: 38.7±5.4; M:F ratio 2:40) participated in the study. Post intervention, a higher willingness to have the diabetic child in class (100 vs. 57.1%; p>0.05), better support in daily care (100 vs. 92%; p>0.05), participation in sports activities (100 vs. 7.1%; p<0.05) observed. HFSP-W scores were 38.8±4.5 (pre-intervention), 22.5±4.3 (immediate post intervention) and 29.5±3.2 (at 3months) (p<0.05). To study the determinants of improvement in HFSP-W a regression analysis was performed: presence of glucometer the most likely determining factor (T=1.999, p=0.05).

There is a significant element of fear in the minds of teachers towards hypoglycemia which improves with a structured education program.