Effects of diabetes education on the knowledge and awareness levels of classroom teachers about type 1 diabetes in Türkiye

Abstract

Background:

Teachers’ knowledge and awareness of childhood type 1 diabetes remains limited.

Aim:

To evaluate the effect of diabetes education on classroom teachers’ knowledge and awareness of type 1 diabetes.

Methods:

This quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test included 87 classroom teachers (intervention = 42, control = 45) from six public primary schools in Türkiye. Diabetes education materials developed by the International Diabetes Federation as part of the Kids and Diabetes in Schools project were translated into Turkish and used in the study. Data were collected using a Teacher Information Form, the Type 1 Diabetes Knowledge Test for Teachers, and the Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Scale for Teachers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Shapiro–Wilk test, the Chi-square test, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the Student’s t-test.

Results:

Post-test mean ranks on the Type 1 Diabetes Knowledge Test for Teachers were significantly higher in the intervention group than those in the control group (p < .001). Similarly, post-test mean ranks on the total and sub-dimensions of the Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Scale for Teachers were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (p < .001).

Conclusion:

Diabetes education significantly improved classroom teachers’ knowledge and awareness of type 1 diabetes. All school personnel – especially teachers – should receive education on diabetes and its management, and the Kids and Diabetes in Schools project educational materials may be useful as part of training interventions.