The relationship between maternal awareness, socioeconomic situation of families and metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes miletus in an Iranian population

Abstract

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common chronic pediatric conditions, with potentially life-threatening sequels. However, good metabolic control can protect the patients against sequels. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between awareness of the mothers about this disease on improving diabetic children metabolic control and also, to examine the relationship between socioeconomic situations of families and control of diabetes in this group of patients. Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive analytic study on 80 diabetic children and their mothers, who were registered in the diabetes association of Iran, for outpatient control of disease. Diabetes knowledge was measured by Michigan diabetes knowledge test and glycemic control was assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). To assess the socio-economic status of a diabetic child's family, educational level, occupational and marital status of parents were asked and the socioeconomic status (SES) was evaluated with Hollingshed four-factor index of SES. Results: Mothers' mean knowledge score was 17.72, children's mean HbA1c was 7.77 and mean of SES was 27.89. There was no significant correlation between children's HbA1c and mother's SES. Also, there was an inverse linear relationship between mothers' knowledge score and children's HbA1c and there was a direct linear relationship between the mothers' knowledge score and SES. Conclusions: Finally, based on the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that the awareness of mothers of T1DM children has a good impact on blood sugar control, whereas the SES of families has no direct effect on blood sugar control. Additionally, SES can indirectly impact on the consciousness of mothers and lead to the reduction of HbA1c. © 2015, Iranian Society of Pediatrics