Quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes in Pediatric tertiary care Hospitals, Khartoum state, Sudan 2022

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) across multiple domains in Sudanese children with type 1 diabetes, examining the influence of sociodemographic and clinical factors. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two major paediatric tertiary hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan. All eligible children aged 5–18 years and their parents or guardians participated in structured, face-to-face interviews. The Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Core Scale was used to assess QoL. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and group comparisons, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 138 children were enrolled; 63.8% were aged 13–18 years and 55.1% were female. Nearly half (44.9%) had been diagnosed with diabetes for less than five years, and 86.9% had uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c > 6.5%). The mean overall QoL score was 77.4% (SD = 15.7), with the lowest mean in social functioning (67.4%) and the highest in social functioning (83.2%). Females reported significantly higher QoL scores than males in social (88.4% vs 76.8%, p = 0.003), physical (p = 0.044), and total domains (p = 0.024). Higher maternal education (p = 0.001) and regular blood glucose monitoring (p = 0.032) were both significantly associated with improved QoL, while glycaemic control itself showed no direct association. Conclusion The findings highlight the importance of maternal education and consistent glucose monitoring in supporting better quality of life for children with type 1 diabetes in low-resource environments. The absence of a direct association between glycaemic control and QoL underscores the need for accessible monitoring solutions and targeted educational support.