The lived experience of Canadian university students with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of university students with type 1 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
University students participated in a 2-part focus group. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using an open-coding approach. Data analysis was guided by a framework analysis method and emergent themes were triangulated between study authors for validity.


RESULTS
Three major themes identified in this study were food issues within the university environment, lack of diabetes awareness on campus and internal struggles related to the participants' relationships with their diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Results illustrate some of the unique challenges that interfere with diabetes self-management, academic performance and quality of life among this sample of university students. Findings can provide insight for diabetes educators and other healthcare practitioners regarding the issues that may interfere with optimal diabetes self-care in this population. Findings also can be used to inform university administrators how to make the university environment more diabetes friendly for its students.
School of Nutrition, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: s3hill@gmail.com.
Stephanie
S
Hill
School of Nutrition, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Jacqui
J
Gingras
School of Nutrition, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Enza
E
Gucciardi
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012648:Self Care; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
diabète de type 1; diabète sucré de type 1; expérience vécue; lived experience; type 1 diabetes; type 1 diabetes mellitus; university students; étudiants