P-369 Impact of a leadership- and advocacy-focused diabetes camp on self-care, psychological well-being, and empowerment in young adult and adolecents with type 1 diabetes in Malaysia
N M Selveindran, A Anuar Zaini, N S Mohd Nor, N Mohd Noor, M Y JalaludinAbstract
Introduction
Diabetes camps are widely used to enhance education and peer support; however most are clinically focused with limited emphasis on advocacy and leadership development. The MEMS-CD1C T1DM (Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus) Warrior Camp was developed as a novel, advocacy-centered program within a peer-supported environment.
Objectives
To evaluate the impact of T1DM Warrior Camp on self-care behaviors, psychological well-being, and diabetes-related advocacy and leadership among adolescents and young adults with Type 1 Diabetes.
Methods
A prospective pre–post cohort study was conducted among adolescents and young adults aged 18–25 years with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) attending a 3-day MEMS-CD1C T1DM Warrior Camp in Malaysia. The programme integrated diabetes education, peer engagement, advocacy training, and leadership development. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 12 months using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and a Diabetes Young Warrior Adequacy Survey evaluating advocacy and leadership competencies.
Results
Fourteen participants completed follow-up (mean age 18.3 ± 0.4 years; HbA1c 9.34 ± 2.43%; 60% female). Baseline self-care showed highest adherence in glucose monitoring and lowest in foot care, with moderate dietary and exercise behaviours. Post-intervention, self-care improved modestly but was not statistically significant. Participants reported mild stress, with moderate anxiety and mild depression; these improved at follow-up but did not reach significance. Advocacy outcomes demonstrated the greatest gains, including improved self-advocacy confidence, peer support engagement, and leadership intention.
Conclusions
This study showed improved empowerment-related outcomes in the cohort with stable clinical and psychological measures. These findings support the integration of advocacy and leadership development into T1DM interventions. To our knowledge, this is among the first regional programmes to explicitly measure these outcomes.