La inclusión del alumnado con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 en el ámbito escolar

Abstract

ABSTRACT Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), is a chronic degenerative metabolic illness, due to the destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells. An estimated 1.200 new cases are reported each year among children under 14 years old, affecting some 15.500 children and adolescents (under 19 years old). The high incidence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), increases the likelihood of teachers having students with this illness. The general objective of this doctoral thesis was to know the needs of students with T1DM during the school day from the perspective of teachers and parents. The study was developed over the academic years 2018/2019 to 2020/2021. An explanatory, sequential, mixed methods study was designed. A questionnaire was administered to practicing teachers in Pre-primary Education, Primary Education, Compulsory Secondary Education, and Further Education, as well as Vocational Education within both the province and the city of Burgos (Castile and Leon, Spain) who may have students with T1DM. The information gathered was complemented with a qualitative phenomenological design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 teachers, 4 women and 7 men, from public sector and state-aided educational centres within the province of Burgos, and 10 mothers and 5 fathers, members of the Burgos Diabetics Association (ASDIBUR), of children affected by T1DM enrolled at these centres. The results show that teachers have a positive attitude towards students with T1DM, although they demand more information and training about the disease to providing attention to the students’ needs. It is important to raise the awareness of the educational community on the needs of students with DM1 and to provide guidelines on emergency situations to teachers and staff at the centres.