Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge among primary school teachers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, regarding type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2022 among primary school teachers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data were gathered from 242 teachers using a validated, self-administered online questionnaire. The questionnaire covered various aspects, including participant demographics, experience with T1DM students, prior T1DM training, and 20 knowledge-based questions.
Results: Most of the participants were females (63.2%), aged ≥40 years (76.4%), with work experience of more than 20 years (55%). Approximately two-thirds of the participants had never taught a student with T1DM before. However, only 30.2% reported school T1DM training programs within their school, and only 49 (20.2%) attended training in this field. The mean knowledge score was 12.92 (64.6%). Around one-third had poor knowledge (31.4%), one-third had basic knowledge (36.8%), and one-third had good knowledge sufficient to support T1DM students (31.8%). The multivariate analysis explored factors associated with teachers’ knowledge and found statistically insignificant (p > 0.05) positive links with good knowledge.
Conclusions: Primary school teachers in Jeddah had suboptimal T1DM knowledge. Specialized T1DM training programs, particularly for older teachers without T1DM experience, are needed to address knowledge gaps and better support children with T1DM.
Key words: Type 1 diabetes mellitus, adolescents, school, awareness, Saudi Arabia
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