Knowledge on gestational diabetes mellitus and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics of North Shewa zone public hospitals, Oromia region, Central Ethiopia: A crosssectional study

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Hiwot Dejene Dissassa
 

Salale University, Ethiopia

: J Womens Health, Issues Care

Abstract

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Statement of the Problem: Globally, the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is currently rising. Assessing GDM knowledge and taking various public health actions will help pregnant women know more about the condition, resulting in its prevention. The purpose of this study is assessing pregnant women’s knowledge of GDM and associated factors at antenatal care clinics of public hospitals in the North Shewa zone, Oromia region, Central Ethiopia. Methodology and Theoretical Orientation: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 417 pregnant women aged 15–49 attending ANC in north shewa zone public health facility, using systematic random sampling. A face-to-face interview was done using a structured questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with knowledge of gestational DM. Findings: Overall, 48% (95% CI 43.4% to 52.8%) of pregnant women had sufficient knowledge about GDM. The level of sufficient knowledge for GDM risk factors, screening/treatment and its consequences were 48%, 54.4% and 99%, respectively. Age group 15–24 years (AOR 3.49, 95% CI 1.05 to 11.59), attending secondary and above education (AOR 4.27, 95% CI 1.29 to 14.070, women whose partners attended primary school (AOR 3.83, 95% CI 1.36 to 10.78), history of GDM (AOR 3.36, 95% CI 1.68 to 6.71), history of hypertension (AOR 2.42, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.84), receiving preconception care (AOR 3.02, 95% CI 1.74 to 5.22) and being multigravida (AOR 3.19, 95% CI 1.52 to 6.67) were factors significantly associated with sufficient knowledge about GDM. Conclusion and significance: Overall, more than half of pregnant women have insufficient knowledge about GDM. Significant association between GDM knowledge and women’s age, women’s and partners’ educational status, preconception care, history of GDM and hypertension, and the number of pregnancies were detected. Therefore, to increase pregnant women’s GDM knowledge, health education programs in the community and healthcare facilities should target the identified factors.

Biography

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Hiwot Dejene Dissassa is a reproductive health lecturer at public health department of Salale university, Ethiopia. Also, she is a researcher and gender office focal person at college of health sciences, Salale University, Ethiopia.