Self-care management among children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus in Malaysia

• Published in: Journal of Child Health Care
• Main Author: Mohd Nor N.S.; Anuar Zaini A.; Jalaludin M.Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications Inc. 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85153598905&doi=10.1177%2f13674935231168911&partnerID=40&md5=9e6f3602f211bc61d63df78a42b0c4fd

The study aimed to evaluate diabetes self-care among diabetic children and adolescents and compare with glycaemic control. Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire was distributed to patients aged 10–18 years with types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) at paediatric diabetes clinics in Malaysia. Haemoglobin A1c levels were measured after questionnaire completion. A total of 106 patients completed the questionnaire with a mean age of 13.91 (± SD 2.48) years. Mean haemoglobin A1c and SDSCA score were 9.78 (± SD 2.43)% and 19.09 (± SD 5.81), respectively. Type 1 DM patients had significantly higher haemoglobin A1c (10.11 95% CI [9.62, 10.59] vs 8.38 95% CI [7.13, 9.62]). Total score was higher in type 1 DM although not statistically significant (19.32 95% CI [18.21, 20.43] vs 18.08 95% CI [14.28, 21.87]). Blood glucose testing score was significantly higher in type 1 DM (5.24 95% CI [4.82, 5.66] vs 3.50 95% CI [2.23, 4.77]). There was statistically significant negative correlation between score in diet subcategory and haemoglobin A1c. In conclusion, self-care activities among diabetic children and adolescents are still suboptimal. Self-care activities on blood glucose testing are significantly better in type 1 DM. Diet section correlated well with glycaemic control necessitating further research. © The Author(s) 2023.