Effects of Long-Term Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes on the Psychological Well-Being of Children: A Case of Diabetes Management and Information Center, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of long-term type 1 diabetes treatment on the psychological well-being of children at DMI in Nairobi, Kenya. The objectives were to determine the child’s perception on long-term diabetes management, describe predictors of psychological distress/well-being, establish the level of PWB and define the relationship between PWB, duration, child’s attitude, and level of understanding. The theory of cognitive development and psychosocial theory of development informed this study. Independent variables were the aspects of T1D management, while dependent variables were Ryff’s six dimensions of PWB. The study adopted descriptive research design. The respondents were 114; 57 children (6-11years) and their parents at DMI. Data collection tools included questionnaires and interviews. The data was analyzed using SPSS and presented in tables and figures. The results showed that 64.9% of the respondents had good understanding of diabetes, 70.18% were independent (self-management), and 71.9% had a positive attitude. It was found that 52.6% had average level of PWB. The multiple regression analysis of predictors of PWB, showed that only 1.6% of the variance in PWB was explained by the model, however, the degree of association was not significant (F(3,53)=0.287,p<.005). There was not a significant relationship between the duration and PWBc (r =0.195,p>0.146), and negative correlations between PWBc and attitude (r= -0.406,p<0.002) and level of understanding (r= -0.527,p<0.000). The study recommended that participation in summer camps and cognitive behavioral therapy as interventions to improve anxiety among the children (78.9%), also parent education is important to increase frequency of discussion that improves child’s independence.