Enhancing Mothers’ Knowledge of Non- Pharmacological Pain Management in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM): An Educational Intervention

Background: Mothers play a crucial role in managing pain in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). Nonpharmacological methods are essential in pain management, but mothers’ knowledge in this area is often limited. This study aimed to determine the effect of an educational intervention on mothers’ knowledge regarding non pharmacological methods of pain management in children with T1DM in Merjan Medical City - Al Hillah in Iraq.Methods: A non-probability sample of 110 mothers was initially selected. However, 10 mothers were included in a pilot study, leaving 100 mothers for the main study. These 100 mothers were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (50 mothers) or the control group (50 mothers). The intervention group received a 6-session educational intervention, each lasting 50 minutes, focusing on T1DM management and non-pharmacological pain management strategies. A self-developed questionnaire assessed mothers’ knowledge at three distinct time points: before the intervention, immediately after, and three months post-intervention.Results: No significant differences were found between the groups before the intervention. However, the intervention group showed significant improvement in the knowledge of T1DM scores (P<0.001) and non-pharmacological pain management strategies scores (P<0.001) immediately and three months after the intervention, with a mean increase of 7.1 and 7.34 points, respectively. No significant change was observed in the control group.Conclusion: The study demonstrates the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving the mothers’ knowledge of non-pharmacological pain management strategies for children with T1DM. The findings highlight the need for healthcare providers to prioritize education and support for mothers, empowering them to manage their children’s pain effectively. Future studies should build on the findings of this study by exploring the long-term effects of educational interventions on mothers’ knowledge and skills as well as the impact on health outcomes for children with T1DM.