Abstract
This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of caregivers of children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) using insulin pumps, particularly focusing on skin complications associated with insulin pump therapy. Conducted at a children’s hospital between April and September 2024, the research involved 329 caregivers, most of whom were female. A cross-sectional design was employed, using a structured questionnaire to assess caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding insulin pump–related skin complications. The findings showed that over a third of the children experienced skin complications related to insulin pump use. The average scores indicated that caregivers generally had limited knowledge but relatively positive attitudes and practices regarding skin management. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that a caregiver’s knowledge significantly influenced their attitudes and practices, with knowledge also indirectly affecting practices through attitudes. The results highlight a gap in caregiver knowledge, emphasizing the importance of educational programs aimed at improving skin care and management strategies. Future efforts should focus on creating and assessing targeted educational interventions to enhance caregiver understanding and management of skin issues, which could lead to better health outcomes for children using insulin pumps.
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Yue Zhou carried out the studies, participated in collecting data, and drafted the manuscript. Yue Zhou and Xiaochun Chen performed the statistical analysis and participated in its design. Ting Yuan and Yan Zheng and Xiao Shao participated in acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Ethical approval was obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee of Children’s Hospital Affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Approval Number: 2024-IRB-0083-P-01), and informed consent was obtained from the participants for the study through an online questionnaire. All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. All procedures were performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.
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Zhou, Y., Chen, X., Zheng, Y. et al. Caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards skin complications related to insulin pump use in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) mellitus. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42765-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42765-9
