ABSTRACT
This study aims to follow up the perceived self-efficacy and self-care behavior of diabetic control in diabetic children after attending a diabetic camp. The study involved twenty type-I diabetic children and adolescents age 10-19 years old. The data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed in percentage, mean, standard deviation and comparing the mean scores of perceived self-efficacy and self-care behavior behavior by using paired t-test and ANOVA. The results demonstrated that the children’s perceived self-efficacy of control of their diabetes before attending the camp, on the last day of self-efficacy in insulin injection was significantly different (P < .05). The children’s self-care behavior before attending the camp, on the lest day of the camp, and three months following the camp, were not different (P > .05), but it was found that self-care behavior in sugar control in daily life and in various special occasions were significantly different (P < .05 and P < .001 respectively). The diabetic control indicators HbA1C, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol were better three months after attending the camp ; these improvements were statistically significant (P< .05, P < .01 and P < .01 respectively). It is recommended that diabetic children be encouraged to attend diabetic camp in order to develop self-efficacy, a crucial factor enabling diabetic children to practice appropriate self-care, in order to control their diseases and prevent complications.