Effects of Mothers’ Knowledge and Coping Strategies on the Glycemic Control of Their Diabetic Children in Egypt

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the relationship between mothers’ knowledge related to treatment management of type 1 diabetes (T1D), with perceptions of coping with diabetes-related stress and to examine the relationship between children's metabolic control and maternal coping. A cross-sectional study was done among ninety-two mothers of T1D children. METHODS: Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, Ways of coping questionnaire (WCQ), and Diabetes Knowledge questionnaire-24 (DKQ-24). RESULTS: The most important predictors of the total knowledge scores among mothers were father education (P < 0.0001), followed by child age and sex (P < 0.0001), while the most important coping scales affected by total knowledge scores was accepting responsibility (P = 0.01). There were positive correlation between HBA1C and escape-avoidance and positive reappraisal coping scales (r = 0.24, P = 0.02 and r = 0.23, P = 0.02, respectively). Blood glucose level was the most important clinical characteristics affecting the use of seeking social support coping scale among mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Parents with more knowledge of diabetes and with better education were able to cope more effective and maintain a better glycemic control of their diabetic children.