Term of Award
Spring 2016
Degree Name
Doctor of Public Health in Community Health Behavior and Education (Dr.P.H.)
Document Type and Release Option
Dissertation (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
Digital Commons@Georgia Southern License
Department
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Committee Chair
Joanne Chopak-Foss
Committee Member 1
Gulzar Shah
Committee Member 2
Ashley Walker
Abstract
Diabetes is a common chronic disease that affects children in the United States. As children with diabetes attend school, the ability to appropriately manage their diabetes is essential to preventing life-threatening health complications. The purpose of the study was to assess school personnel’s knowledge of diabetes and perceived self-competence in performing diabetes management skills in response to a diabetic emergency. For the present study, a diabetic emergency was operationalized to include hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis. A cross-sectional survey design, utilizing a fifty-two item self-administered questionnaire that accentuated the causes and symptoms of diabetes, definition of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and the management and treatment of diabetes was administered using an online survey management system (e.g., Qualtrics) and in person. Using convenience sampling, participants were elementary school personnel from five Georgia public schools districts. A total of eight hundred and nine self-administered questionnaires were completed. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. Findings from the study revealed school personnel had limited knowledge of diabetes and inability to perform diabetes management skills as required by Georgia House Bill 879. In addition, statistically significant variations were found among participants performing diabetes management skills. Furthermore, the study informs participating schools on the effectiveness of current diabetes training among school personnel to deliver optimal diabetes management and implications for public health.
Recommended Citation
Wright, Alesha, "Assessment of the Knowledge And Skills of School Personnel to Respond to Diabetic Emergencies in Georgia Public Schools" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1391.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/1391
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
