Evaluation of the knowledge level of primary school teachers regardingdiabetes mellitus in Sakarya province

Evaluation of the Knowledge Level of Primary School Teachers Regarding Diabetes Mellitus in Sakarya Province INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Diabetes Mellitus is one of today's most important diseases with high morbidity and mortality, and its frequency has increased in recent years due to sedentary life and obesity. Children with diabetes spend most of their time at school. In our study, it is permanent to evaluate the knowledge and growth of Diabetes Mellitus Status serving in primary schools in Sakarya. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our research is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on teachers serving at the primary education level in Sakarya. A survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 330 teachers. The DM knowledge level measurement tool, which consists of propositions questioning sociodemographic characteristics, personal and family history characteristics, whether there are students diagnosed with diabetes in their school, and 26 propositions questioning teachers' diabetes knowledge levels, was applied to teachers. RESULTS: In our study, the scores obtained from the DM-BD measurement tool by female teachers compared to male teachers, and those with medium/good perceived income levels compared to those with low income levels, were found to be statistically significantly higher (p<0.05). Among the teachers, those who have a doctor-diagnosed chronic disease, who have previously received diabetes-related training, who have individuals diagnosed with DM in their close circle, who state that school officials/teachers have legal responsibilities regarding diabetes mellitus and that their treatment should be helped, and who have heard of DM training carried out in schools, have DM-BD scores they received from the measurement tool were found to be statistically significantly higher (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: "Diabetes Program at School" has been carried out in our country for 13 years. We think that teachers' receiving "Diabetes Program at School" training will play a role in the disease management of diagnosed students and the early diagnosis of children with similar symptoms.