Aim: We aimed to identify gaps in school care and support required for students with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: We performed a cross-sectional nationwide study using self-administered surveys that targeted teachers and parents of students with T1DM in Saudi Arabia from August to December 2019.
Results: We collected surveys from 632 parents and 983 teachers. Responses were received from all 13 regions in Saudi Arabia, with the majority representing governmental schools. Results showed that 172 students (27.3%) had no available help at school to perform blood glucose measurement, 178 students (28.3%) were left with no hypoglycemia treatment, 374 students (59.6%) took their insulin dose for breakfast at home, and 40.0 (6.4%) students omitted insulin. Overall, school admission refusal was reported by 73 students (11.7%). Students with no available help to manage their hypoglycemia or to inject insulin at school had a higher hemoglobin A1c and poorer academic performance.
Conclusion: Our study revealed a significant gap between schools' local practices and international recommendations, which impacted students' safety, diabetes control, and school achievement. Our study findings will support the creation of the Saudi T1DM school practice guidelines necessary to improve the care of students with T1DM.
Keywords: Saudi Arabia; diabetes mellitus: type 1; metabolic control; schools; self-care.
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