Teachers’ attitudes and perceptions about preparation of public schools to assist students with type 1 diabetes

• Published in: Endocrinología, diabetes y nutrición. Vol. 65; no. 4; pp. 213 - 219
• Main Authors: Carral San Laureano, Florentino, Gutiérrez Manzanedo, José Vicente, Moreno Vides, Pablo, de Castro Maqueda, Guillermo, Fernández Santos, Jorge R, Ponce González, Jesús Gustavo, Ayala Ortega, María del Carmen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier España, S.L.U 01.04.2018
• Subjects: Centros educativos; Children and adolescents; Diabetes tipo 1; Endocrinology and Metabolism; Niños y adolescentes; Profesores; Schools; Teachers; Type 1 diabetes mellitus; Teachers; Profesores; Centros educativos; Diabetes tipo 1; Children and adolescents; Niños y adolescentes; Schools; Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• ISSN: 2530-0180; 2530-0180
• DOI: 10.1016/j.endien.2018.04.003

Abstract Objective To assess teachers’ attitudes and perceptions about preparation of public primary and secondary education schools in the Puerto Real University Hospital (Cádiz, Spain) area to care for students with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods A descriptive observational study where answers to an attitude and perception questionnaire on the preparation of schools to care for pupils with T1DM were analyzed. A total of 765 teachers (mean age, 44.3 ± 8.8 years; 61.7% women) from 44 public schools in the area of the Puerto Real University Hospital were selected by random sampling. Results Overall, 43.2% of teachers surveyed had or had previously had students with T1DM, but only 0.8% had received specific training on diabetes. 18.9% of teachers reported that one of their students with T1DM had experienced at least one episode of hypoglycemia at school, and half of them felt that their school was not prepared to deal with diabetic emergencies. 6.4% stated that their school had glucagon in its first aid kit, and 46.9% would be willing to administer it personally. Women, physical education teachers, and headmasters had a more positive perception of the school than their colleagues. Teachers with a positive perception of school preparation and with a positive attitude to administer glucagon were significantly younger than those with no positive perception and attitude. Conclusions The study results suggest that teachers of public schools in our health area have not been specifically trained in the care of patients with T1DM and perceive that their educational centers are not qualified to address diabetic emergencies.