Training and Knowledge of Parents of Children with Diabetes Mellitus

Proceedings of ‏The 2nd world conference on Future of Education

Year: 2020

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/2nd.wcfeducation.2020.09.183

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Training and Knowledge of Parents of Children with Diabetes Mellitus

Emilia Georgieva, Petya Trendafilova

ABSTRACT: 

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a socially significant non-communicable disease due to emerging complications, disability, premature mortality. It also requires large financial costs due to lifelong expensive treatment, the need for constant monitoring and related diagnostic tests and periodic hospitalization [1]. In Bulgaria, the annual incidence varies from 7 to 9 per 100,000 with a proven in recent years linear dependence of growth of about 4.4% per year, most pronounced in the older age group, but also in the age group of 5- and 9-years old children [2]. A pilot survey was conducted among 60 parents of children with diabetes from all over the country, hospitalized in “Specialized hospital for active treatment of children’s diseases – Prof. Dr. Ivan Mitev” EAD – Sofia”. The knowledge and training of the parents are analyzed. The results show that 2/3 of them are trained on the daily monitoring of their children, the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, daily care, diet, and exercise. More than half of parents confess that families with diabetes children need constant help and support from qualified and trained medical professionals. Despite the ongoing training of parents of children with diabetes, only one-third of the respondents are considered fully trained in almost all elements of child care.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus, children, hypo and hyperglycemia, training, diet, and exercise.