Quality of Life for School Age Children with Type I Diabetes

Abstract

T ype 1 diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder in children in which the body is unable to utilize glucose, an essential source of energy. Therefore QOL improvement in school age children with type 1 diabetes should be enhanced through assessment of their lifestyle and promoting the optimal physical, emotional and social well- being. The present study was aimed to assess QOL for school age children with TID. Subjects included all (80) Children confirmed diagnosis of TID not less than one year. Age from 6-12 years attending at Specialized Diabetic outpatient Pediatric Department in Children Hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospitals. Two tools were used for data collection Questionnaire by interviewing to asses socio-demographic data of diabetic children such as age, sex, birth order and the diabetic children' knowledge regarding TID (definition, signs and symptoms, causes, treatment, care and complications and QOL scale KIDSCREEN was used to determine the level of QOL of children with TID by measuring the essential life spheres includes: physical, emotional, social, and school functioning as well as general well being. It was modified and translated to Arabic language by the researcher. A pilot study was carried out 10% school age children. The results of the data obtained from the pilot study helped in modifications of the study tools. Items were corrected, recorded, omitted and added as necessary then all children involved in the pilot were excluded from the study subject. Prior study conduction, ethical approval was obtained from scientific research ethical committee of Faculty of Nursing Ain Shams University. Children and their parents informed consent was obtained. Confidentiality of data and results were considered. An official permission was taken from dean of the Faculty of Nursing Ain Shams the hospital administration to start the present study.