Knowledge, attitude and practice of primary school teachers towards students with hypoglycemic attack in Tabuk Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Hypoglycemia is common among school children with type 2 diabetes, if not managed promptly brain damage might happen. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the primary school teacher's knowledge and attitude about hypoglycemia among students with type 1 diabetes. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 434 primary school teachers in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia during the period from March 2020 to September 2020. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used to recruit the participants. A self-administered questionnaire involves questions on demographic data, knowledge, and attitude regarding hypoglycemia was used. All the participants signed a written informed consent and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. Results: Out of 434 primary school teachers, the majorities were females; the knowledge regarding hypoglycemia was sub-optimal (only 68% showed excellent and good knowledge). Regarding the attitude, a major defect was observed as only 75.6% know how to use a glucometer, and a minority (6.7% knew the rule of 15, 15, and 15). The school facilities for hypoglycemia management are alarming (47% and 41.7% had glucometers and school clinics respectively), the majority of teachers recommend sessions on glucometer use and hypoglycemia symptoms. Conclusion: Knowledge and attitude were sub-optimal among primary school teachers in Tabuk City, campaigns are to be held to increase the awareness regarding hypoglycemia.