Injection giving in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: Responsibility and performance

✍ Scribed by Moyer, A ;Tomalin, D A

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 507 KB
• Volume: 9
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1357-8170
• DOI: 10.1002/pdi.1960090509

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Insulin is the keystone of diabetes management yet there is little empirical data on children's injection technique as they assume responsibility for their own care. Interviews with 171 children 10‐16 years old with Insulin‐Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and their parents provided information on responsibility for insulin injections. The Johnson Test of Diabetes Knowledge and a skills check list were used to generate data on knowledge and technical skill. All families had access to specialist nurses. Most children prepared and gave their own injections but only 20% routinely prepared and checked the dose with a parent; 21% children drew up an inaccurate dose. Technical skill was lower when diabetes was of a longer duration but knowledge increased with age (p<0.01, Kendall's tau‐b) hence older children were not necessarily more skilful. Parents' accounts of recent stressful incidents suggest that they continue to monitor injection practice even though they may not be directly involved. Periodic review and strategies to increase technical proficiency are recommended.