Assessment of Public School Teachers' Knowledge of Type 1 Diabetes among Adolescent Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes among children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia highlights the need for enhanced teacher education and training in diabetes management within the school environment. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of public school teachers regarding diabetes among adolescent students in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: We used a cross-sectional design and distributed an online questionnaire via social media and email to collect data between April and June 30, 2022. A convenience sample of 290 intermediate and secondary public school teachers was recruited. Statistical analysis, including Chi-square tests and logistic regression, assessed associations and predictors of diabetes knowledge among teachers. Results: Of the 290 responses, 80.3% were female, 61% lived with a family member with diabetes mellitus, and 33.4% had prior diabetic training. The study found that 62% of participants had fair knowledge about diabetes. Age, education level, and speciality were significantly associated with knowledge ( Conclusions: The study revealed that Saudi teachers require additional educational programs to enhance their understanding of diabetes. The findings suggest training courses to improve teachers' knowledge, providing written instructions for diabetic emergencies, and incorporating trained nurses in educational institutes.