The impact of the KICk OFF structured educational program on diabetes management in children with type 1 diabetes

The incidence of type 1 diabetes among Kuwaiti children and adolescents has alarmingly increased, mirroring global trends. Current data indicate that many of these young individuals had suboptimal glycemic control, leading to a compromised quality of life. Such conditions increase their susceptibility to severe diabetes-related complications, increasing the burden on the healthcare system. In response to this growing challenge, the Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) launched the KICk OFF educational program in 2019 as a clinical service. This program is an adaptation of the UK's KICk OFF program, tailored to align with Kuwait's cultural and dietary specifics.
The proposed study aims to assess the impact of the culturally adapted KICk OFF program in diabetes management among Kuwaiti adolescents aged 11-16 years. We will utilize existing data to retrospectively analyze glycemic control metrics, particularly HbA1c levels and time in range. Our analysis will focus on (a) changes from baseline to 6 months post-program among KICk OFF participants and (b) differences between KICk OFF participants and a control group.
To our understanding, this will be the first study evaluating the effectiveness of an educational program tailored for Arab adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The findings of this study are expected to serve as a foundation for refining and expanding the program, informing future studies focused on behavioral interventions, and potentially extending our insights to neighboring countries with similar challenges.