Challenges associated with treating children with diabetes in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) patients among the children have been increasing rapidly in the recent years in Saudi Arabia, as a result there is a need for extensive research in this area. Various suggestions were kept forward including m-health technologies, telemedicine etc. However, very little research has been conducted in understanding the T1DM among the children, measures being taken to control, and the feasible policies and procedures that could be adopted for managing T1DM among child population.

Objective: The primary aim of this study is to investigate and identify the challenges being faced in T1DM among the children in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A questionnaire based survey is conducted with the child participants including the parents of the children with T1DM. The questionnaire has a multiple choice answers which need to be selected according to the participants views.

Results: Lack of initiatives taken by the health ministry in creating awareness about T1DM and its complications, and also in providing the effective infrastructure in healthcare centres; the role of schools in providing additional care for the children with T1DM is limited; the children are completely unaware of the T1DM self-management techniques, and feel nervous and embarrassed about the disease management process; and they are completely dependent on their parents for managing the disease.

Conclusion: Though there are few aspects where the care is delivered through parents, the need for self-management techniques is necessary and highlighted as the children spend most of their time in schools away from the parents.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; Type 1 diabetes.