Assesment of the effect of summer camp on the life quality of diabetic children

Aim: Type 1 diabetes which is a chronic metabolic disease can affect the quality of life of a person. The aim of this study is to evaluate the life quality of diabetic children and adolescents who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus and compare the perceptions of life quality through the life quality scale before and after summer camp. Materials and Method: A scale of life quality was applied to 31 children/adolescents with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus between ages 9-16 years in the Diabetes Summer Camp. Results: The perceived quality of life of children / adolescents with type 1 diabetes were better after diabetes camp (p< 0.05). When the Quality of Life Scale scores compared by gender, it was found that the emotional well-being and self esteem subscale scores and the total scores of boys were statistically significantly higher after diabetes camp. But the Quality of Life Scale scores of girls did not show a significant increase. Conclusion: This study showed that the diabetes camp, which promoted the ability of diabetic children and adolescents to manage their illnesses, changed the perception of quality of life of male diabetic patients in particular. However, repeating similar studies involving a larger number of cases will allow better evaluation of the results of such activities.