IMPACT OF PRIMARY CAREGIVER’S KNOWLEDGE ON GLYCEMIC CONTROL PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS IN CANTON SARAJEVO, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA.

Aim To evaluate primary caregiver’s knowledge and impact knowledge on glycemic control in children/adolescents. Methods and participants The research was cross-sectional study conducted from October 23, 2021 year to February 28, 2022 year, in the Canton of Sarajevo. 50 primary caregiver’s of pediatric patients up to 18 years old was involved. The Diabetes Knowledge Test was used to assess primary caregiver’s knowledge of diabetes. Results Knowledge of the primary caregiver’s whose children achieve HbA1c values<7.5% is significantly better than those whose children have HbA1c value >7.5% in general knowledge (p=0.003*), total (p=0.014*), while knowledge of insulin did not differ (p=0.865). Conclusion Continuous education of nurses who are key in educating patients and diabetes specialist nurses, especially pediatric specialist nurse is needed to provide effective health care. It would also be of paramount importance to recognize the need for health professionals in the field of nutrition who would provide health services to these patients, as part of the diabetes health care team. Health service providers should regularly assess the knowledge of pediatric patients and their parents about diabetes and self-help management skills, especially in patients who do not achieve optimal HbA1c values, in order to improve knowledge levels and improve skills for disease management [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]