The effect of self care education on self care behaviors in adolescent with type 1 diabetes

Introduction: Self-care in type 1 diabetes includes blood glucose control, diet control, insulin administration, insulin dose adjustment, and having a proper pattern of psychical activity. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of self-care education on self-care in adolescents with type1 diabetes referred to Iran diabetes Association. Methods: This non-randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 74 adolescents (age range, 12-18 years) with type1 diabetes registered in the Iran diabetes Association. The participants were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. Data were collected using the demographic questionnaire and self-care questionnaire. The education during 5 session for the intervention group. After education, the patient of intervention group were follow up using mobile service for 3 month. Eventually all participants completed the questionnaires again. The data were analyzed using the SPSS.18 software. Results: Before the educational intervention, there was no significant difference in the average self-care subcategories’ scores(diet, physical activity, drug use and control of diabetes complications and total self-care) between the two groups, but after the intervention, the mean scores of the variables in the intervention group were significantly increased and significant differences were found between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: education, the follow up after educational sessions and engaging parents in health programs can improve the self- care behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.