Virtual Diabetes Education Program for Children and Adolescents with Diabetes in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Background: Education of self-management skills in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus is essential for their care. A few studies were conducted to assess glucose control of children with type 1 diabetes during camp. Bahrain Diabetes Society (BDS) has been the pioneer in the Gulf region in diabetes camps and during COVID-19 pandemic, we transitioned the program using an online delivery method. Aim: 1. Creating a live diabetes education program for children with diabetes. 2. Assessing parents’ satisfaction of this method of delivery of diabetes education. Method: Cross-sectional study in the form of a survey that was sent to parents of children enrolled in the online diabetes education program. Data from the survey was analyzed to evaluate the satisfaction of parents with the program. Results: An invitation was sent to advertise for the program and 40 children and adolescents were enrolled. Participants were divided into two groups depending on age (7-11 years and 12-16 years). The sessions were conducted weekly as live session. The content included carbohydrate counting, techniques of insulin injection, and meetings with adults who had diabetes as children. 29 parents responded. Parents responded favorably to the format and content of the sessions and preferred 15 participants instead of 25 per session. Overall the parents provided positive comments requesting to continue such activities beyond COVID-19. Discussion: Bahrain Diabetes Society successfully conducted an online diabetes education program for children and adolescents with diabetes. This model of delivery of education and self-empowerment and motivation was appropriate during the current pandemic and can be considered in the long term as one of the options to provide such education. We intend to follow these children and adolescents and study the impact of the program on their health and glycemic profile as well.