Eureka! Institutional Repository

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disease with increasing incidence, in both adults and children. Diabetes is a particularly challenging disease for the child himself and his family. In this context, the school's contribution is considered significant, both in approach and in the care and support of diabetic students. That is why the help of the teacher is considered valuable as they can support and encourage the child with diabetes to regularly participate in all school activities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of knowledge of teachers of General Education and Special Education on Diabetes Mellitus. 181 Primary Education teachers of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki were subject to study (63% of General Education and 37% of Special Education), during the months May - June 2016. The data collection was performed using anonymous structured questionnaire with closed questions, which included questions of knowledge on Diabetes Mellitus and questions about the origin of such knowledge. The analysis was carried out with SPSS 20 statistical package. The findings of this study show that the Special Education teachers had more knowledge than the teachers of General Education on Diabetes Mellitus. However in both categories of teachers the knowledge level was low. Only 17.7% of teachers was able to recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia while a 27.1% recognized the symptoms of hyperglycemia. However 65.2% of the sample knew that in addition to medication diet and exercise are equally important. Additionally 60.2% of the sample knew how to control the sugar before the exercise. Finally, a 97% of teachers wants to trained on diabetes emergencies. To facilitate the proper care of the child at school, not only information but also management and response to diabetes emergency situations will be provided to teachers. A well informed and trained staff helps to avoid the probability of immediate risk for the health of the child.