Global Standards and Local Policies for School Diabetes Care

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyse the practical implementation of regional and national policies through the Protocol of Care of Children and Adolescents in School (2010) in Extremadura Region (Spain), and to compare its contents with the international standards of diabetes care at school defined by American Diabetes Association and International Diabetes Federation. The measures not only affect the security and diabetes care, but also inclusion and the right to health. Methods: A documental comparative analysis between the local and international standards about diabetes care in school setting is carried out. This analysis is framed in a larger project focused on the study of health promoting school and diabetes education, in which perceptions of children and adolescents with diabetes, their parents and school staff were studied. Results: The Protocol of Care of Children and Adolescents in School (2010) contains some international recommendations about the care of T1DM at school, but in other cases the measures are non-specific. The distribution of responsibilities for care at school is unclear and no monitoring and evaluation indicators are defined. Some elements are identified to be implemented in the tool to favour the security, management of T1DM care and wellbeing. In general, these elements refer to school plan for diabetes care, school organization and teachers, and school community training. Conclusion: It is required to develop specific policies and decisive action to ensure the right to health of children with diabetes and the full application of international standards for diabetes care at school.

Prevalence of Type 1 Diabetes and Presence of Optimal Support Services in Public Schools a Case Study of Gweru, Zimbabwe

“…The less than optimal results obtained from the study corresponds to results from other studies that have been conducted though all in developed countries to evaluate diabetes care in primary schools [21]. In general it has been shown that diabetes care is less than optimal in schools in the developed world [21] with the absence of specific policies [22]. Such studies have not been conducted in developing countries.…”

“…Such studies have not been conducted in developing countries. Even though Zimbabwe has a Schools Health Policy, specific policies are still required [22] that will ensure immediate safety, inclusion of the child in all activities, optimal academic performance and long term wellbeing. As this was a baseline, future studies can seek to standardize criteria for evaluating and defining optimal support services for the Zimbabwean context.…”

Teachers’ Perspectives on Children With Type 1 Diabetes in German Kindergartens and Schools

“…These policies should include details about adequate diabetes management (e.g., the frequency of and circumstances in which to perform blood glucose checks, appropriate times to administer insulin, planning for food intake and timing of snacks, recognition and management of symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, emergency plans and contacts, and information about participation in physical activities). The U.S. (35), Spanish (36), and Austrian (37) guidelines might serve as good examples.…”