The Effect of Problem-solving Education on Self-Management and HbA1C in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Background and Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease in children. Achieving self-management of the child and her family is one of the important goals nursing these patients. The present research was conducted to examine the effect of problem solving education on the self-management and HbA1C in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, adolescents 10-19 years old with type 1 diabetes for at least on year, were allocated randomly into two control and problem-solving education groups. The intervention group received 6 sessions of problem-solving process education; the family function of caregivers, self-management and HbA1C of adolescents with type 1 Diabetes before and 3 months after the intervention were evaluated. Data analysis was done using independent and paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests. Problem-solving education increased self-management in adolescents by 76.57% in terms of public health, 49.11% regimen therapy, 112.20% social presence and 75% in terms of overall self-management (p<0.001). Problem solving education also decreased HbA1C by 0.62 on average. There was a significant negative correlation between frequency of insulin injections per day and HbA1c levels (p<0.0001). Problem-solving education is remarkably effective in promoting the self-management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.