Quality of life among School Children Suffering from Juvenile Diabetes

Abstract

Juvenile diabetes is one of the most common pediatric chronic condition and has potentially life-threatening sequel. It has profound effects on children physical, mental, emotional, social, and psychological health status that in turn can effect on quality of life. Aim: this study amid to assess the quality of life of the children suffering from juvenile diabetes and assess factors affecting the quality of life among children suffering from juvenile diabetes. Study design: A descriptive analytical research design. Setting: this study was carried in outpatient clinic for diabetes in Ain shams University Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample of 100 children who have juvenile diabetes at age 8-12 years and confirmed diagnosis since 6 months or more. Tools: Two tools were used for data collection. First tool: Questionnaire sheet it was developed by the researcher it constricted 4 parts part 1 socio-demographic data and child history part 2 knowledge's about quality of life, part 3 Diabetes specific quality of life scale, and part 4 knowledge's about diabetes. Second tool physical examination sheet . Results: Accordance to factors affecting quality of life of children suffering from juvenile diabetes medical, economical, psychological, and social factors were the main factors affective quality of life, and the majority of children suffering from juvenile diabetes had average level in quality of life while more than third had poor quality of life. Conclusions: an inverse relationship between the quality of life dimensions and knowledge about diabetes in children suffering from juvenile diabetes where statistically significant for all dimensions. Recommendations: Continuous assessment for diabetic children's knowledge about diabetes mellitus and its control, change misconception, provide them with updated knowledge and develop their abilities for demonstration of therapeutic regimen to achieve high quality of life.