Kinder und Jugendliche mit Typ‑1‑Diabetes mellitus im Schulsport: eine Untersuchung zur Erfassung des Wissensstandes/der Erste-Hilfe-Kompetenzen von Sportlehrkräften in NRW

Background: Physical activity can lead to serious metabolic disturbances in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the level of diabetes knowledge/first aid skills among physical education (PE) teachers. Methods: The paper-and-pencil method or online questionnaires were used for the survey. Data of 120 PE teachers were analyzed. Results: Many respondents rate their level of diabetes knowledge and their first aid skills to deal with diabetic emergencies as (rather) deficient (56.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.7–65.5% and 45.0%; 95% CI: 36.1–53.9%, respectively). Nearly all teachers (98.3%; 95% CI: 96.0–100%) are able to correctly identify at least one symptom of hypoglycemia from a list of true/false symptoms. However, only 8.3% (95% CI: 3.4–13.2%) of the teachers identify all 4 true symptoms of hypoglycemia (headache, sweating, personality changes, shakiness) out of a total of 8 options. In all, 92.5% (95% CI: 87.8–97.2%) of the teachers would respond appropriately in cases of mild hypoglycemia by giving the schoolchild cola/fruit juice or glucose tablets. In a severe case of hypoglycemia with unconsciousness, 90.8% (95% CI: 85.6–96.0%) of the teachers would call an emergency physician, but only 20.8% (95% CI: 13.5–28.1%) would administer a glucagon injection. Many teachers, however, would also respond inappropriately (e.g., placing a glucose tablet inside the cheek of the unconscious schoolchild [49.2%; 95% CI: 40.3–58.1%] or administering an insulin injection [7.5%; 95% CI: 2.3–12.2%]). Conclusions: The level of knowledge of T1DM seems to be insufficient. In particular, there is obviously an urgent need to train PE teachers in first aid to respond appropriately in cases of severe hypoglycemia.