Assessment of knowledge of Saudi female teenagers & their mothers regarding management of type I diabetes in the City of Abha

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is predicted to become the seventh leading cause of death in the world by the year 2030. In adolescence self-image is being constructed and diabetes self-care becomes an integral part of daily life. Diabetes management is better when parents remain involved in diabetes care through parental monitoring, a construct frequently measured as parents’ overall knowledge of their adolescents’ illness management. The main aim of this study was to assess the Knowledge of Saudi Female Teenagers and Their Mothers Regarding Management of type I Diabetes in the Abha.

Methods: The study was carried out in Abha diabetic center. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. A non-probability, convenience sample of diabetic Saudi female teenagers (150) and their mothers (150) was required. The researcher prepared a two-sheet questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed from a modified Simplified Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT) derived from the Revised Diabetes Knowledge Scale, developed by Lloyd (2011) and Fitzgerald (1998), diabetes self-management and the day care diabetes education questionnaire.

Results: More the two third of mothers 30 years old and more, and 46% their level of education secondary school and more but more than two third were home wife. On the other hand, more than two third of diabetic teenage were their age 16-19 years, and 50% intermediate school age. The teenager girls and their mothers (72%, 63%) respectively not participate at any classes related to health education about management. Although only 7% not have any diabetic complication and statistical analysis show highly significant different between response of mothers and their daughters. In general, it is obvious that most of the mother do not aware or do not carefully follow their daughters in respect of diabetes self-management through diet, physical practice and blood glucose level. Also, mothers’ characteristics do not influence on daughters' knowledge level about diabetes self-management. The only factor that has a significant influence on teen females' knowledge was the duration since diagnosed as diabetic.

Conclusions: According to the results of the study, it is concluded that both mother and their daughter had lack of awareness and knowledge in most of aspects of diabetes management so the researcher suggested family-based interventions, implementation of home visit programs and integrated ongoing programs of education, monitoring and support for young people and their families living with diabetes are needed. Further research needs and the paradigm used in the present study should be expanded to include fathers, other family members and friends.