Factors Associated with Glycemic Control among Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Attending the Diabetes Clinic at Sabratha Teaching Hospital, Libya

Khawla Etwebi; Basma Serir; Nahla Gueder; Zahira Abuzyd; Zahida Abuzyd; Najah Alghryani; Fatima Alqarid

doi:10.54361/ajmas.269420

Authors

Khawla Etwebi Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Sabratha University, Sabratha, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7338-0836
Basma Serir Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Sabratha Teaching Hospital, Sabratha, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1468-0145
Nahla Gueder Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sabratha University, Sabratha, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8392-9793
Zahira Abuzyd Department of Pediatrics, Sabratha Heart Center, Sabratha, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9760-397X
Zahida Abuzyd Department of Pediatrics, Sabratha Heart Center, Sabratha, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4843-564X
Najah Alghryani Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Sabratha Teaching Hospital, Sabratha, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6953-8699
Fatima Alqarid Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Sabratha Teaching Hospital, Sabratha, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6022-5795

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54361/ajmas.269420

Keywords:

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Glycemic Control, Prevalence, Factors Affecting Glycemic Control, Caregivers.

Abstract

Glycemic control is a cornerstone of managing Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM). The goal is to maintain blood glucose levels as close to the normal range as possible to prevent both acute complications (hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis - DKA) and long-term microvascular and macrovascular complications. In order to identify the factors associated with glycemic control among children diagnosed with T1DM who are receiving care at the diabetes clinic at Sabratha Teaching Hospital (STH), Libya, a cross-sectional interview-based study was executed from June 15 to September 30, 2025. This investigation involved a representative cohort of children aged 1 to 18 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), as well as their caregivers. The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels ranged between 5.8% and 15% (mean HbA1c = 9.23% ± 2.17%). High HbA1c levels (≥ 7.5%) were observed in most children (80%). Only three statistically significant factors were found: (1) about 88.9% of children whose parents self-reported high frequency of feeling anxious or stressed showed higher levels of HbA1c compared to other groups (p = 0.004), (2) 86.8% of children with history of hospitalization had higher HbA1c levels, compared to 66.7% of children with no history of hospitalization, (p = 0.016), and (3) frequency of hospitalization appears to be associated with poorer glycemic control; 89.7% of children who were hospitalized more than twice had a higher HbA1c level, compared to 73.9% of children who were hospitalized once, (p = 0.012). Most children with T1DM attending the diabetes clinic STH showed poor glycemic control. Three factors were significantly associated with better glycemic control: reduced self-reported feelings of anxiety and stress, no history of hospitalization, and less frequency of hospitalizations. Therefore, in addition to medical treatment for children with T1DM, it is important to offer psychological and emotional support for them and their caregivers.