P-274: Two decades of impact: a sustainable, peer-driven 3 days diabetes camp model for youth and young adults in Botswana-the Botswana youth diabetes camps(BYDC)

Introduction

Founded in 2009, the BYDC provides diabetes education to youth aged 8-30 with T1D through:

Objectives

The study objectives were:

Methods

Study Design and Participants A longitudinal evaluation was conducted over four camps in 2023/24 with 228 participants, aged between 8-30yrs, focusing on traditional insulin management.

Camp Intervention

Camps featured structured schedules for education and recreational activities to boost community bonding and diabetes management skills.

Results

Conclusions

The BYDC demonstrates a robust model for culturally adapted diabetes education in resource-limited settings, showing significant improvements in glycaemic control and psychosocial outcomes. Recommendations emphasize fostering partnerships to sustain and replicate this initiative, ensuring comprehensive support for youth with diabetes in developing regions.