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Published online October 12, 2009
PEDIATRICS (doi:10.1542/peds.2008-3648)
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Articles

Disaster Preparedness in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Venkat S. Renukuntla, MBBS, MPH, Krishnavathana Hassan, MD, Suzanne Wheat, RN, MSN, MPH, Rubina A. Heptulla, MD

Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor University, Houston, Texas

Objective The goal was to assess emergency preparedness among families caring for children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods A total of 115 English-speaking families caring for children with type 1 diabetes mellitus who were attending the diabetes clinic at Texas Children's Hospital agreed to a questionnaire study designed to ascertain their level of preparedness for a disaster or emergency. The study was conducted from June through September 2008 and ended just before Hurricane Ike made landfall.

Results Families were better prepared for self-management of diabetes, compared with general disaster preparedness. Sixty-two percent of the families were generally unprepared for a major disaster. For self-management of diabetes specifically, however, 75% of families had adequate supplies to maintain care for 3 days. Families in higher and moderate socioeconomic status strata were better equipped for an emergency (P < .002). Preparedness was found to be independent of age, gender, ethnicity, and previous experience of a disaster.

Conclusion Disaster preparedness still lags in families of lower socioeconomic status.

Key Words: disaster • preparedness • diabetes • supplies

Abbreviations: SES, socioeconomic status

Accepted Jun 5, 2009.


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