EC Paediatrics

Background: Adequate knowledge, positive attitude and correct practices towards Covid-19 are associated with better control of the diabetes mellitus. Though risk of covid-19 related mortality is low among children, those having an underlying co-morbidity are at an increased risk for mortality.

Objective: To evaluate the precautions and practices adopted by parents, based on their knowledge and attitudes, to protect their children with type 1 diabetes from COVID-19 infection.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was done at the pediatric department, district head quarter hospital, Rawalpindi, and children hospital, Pakistan institute of medical sciences Islamabad, from April to September 2021.

Materials and Methods: A total of 96 parents of type 1 diabetes children were enrolled using convenient consecutive sampling technique. Data was recorded on a pre-designed proforma and analyzed by SPSS version 22.0.

Results: Out of total 96 parents, 77 were mothers and 19 were fathers. Basic education was only primary in 18 and secondary school in 32 parents. Mean knowledge score 6.0 regarding COVID-19 pandemic was found to be ‘average’ (good knowledge range 8-10). Attitude score of parents was also ‘average’ 4 (good attitude score 5-6). Practice towards prevention of COVID-19 infection was found to be ‘poor’, as most of the parents were not taking enough safety precautions like wearing face masks, using hand sanitizers to keep their children safe.

Conclusion: Parents of type 1 diabetes children have an average knowledge and attitude regarding COVID-19 infection. Although parents are anxious for their child’s wellbeing, but their practices are not sufficient to protect their child during pandemic. These results highlight the need for more educational and social interventions to promote healthy lifestyle practices for children with chronic ailments in the wake of emerging variants of covid-19.

 Keywords: Knowledge; Attitude; Practice; COVID-19; Type 1 Diabetes; Safety Precautions

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