KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ON GLYCEMIC CONTROL AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN WITH GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN THE PHILIPPINES

Problem statement:

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a condition which carbohydrate intolerance develops during pregnancy. It is considered as the most common metabolic disorder in pregnant women and is estimated to have a prevalence of 14% in the Philippines. Appropriate knowledge, positive attitude, right practice of gestational diabetes can prevent maternal and perinatal complications, which impact significantly on the quality of life of the pregnant patients. Information can help people assess their risk of diabetes, motivate them to seek proper treatment and care, and inspire them to take charge of their disease.

Objective:

The general objective of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of glycemic control among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus in a tertiary hospital

Materials and Methods:

The study included pregnant mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus seen at the high-risk clinic at Philippine General Hospital from October 2021 to December 2021. Data is collected using an investigator-administered questionnaire. 15 questions regarding knowledge were used to the Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Knowledge Questionnaire (GDMKQ). While 22 diabetes-related attitude questions using Diabetes Attitude Scale (DAS 3) developed by the University of Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center (MDRTC).

Results:

The mean overall knowledge on GDM is 10.04 out of the maximum 15 score.While the overall mean attitude towards glycemic control is 3.53, implying of a positive attitude. It also shows that education,work status and history of GDM on relatives are significantly associated with knowledge adequacy on GDM. College level has significantly higher mean knowledge (11.44) than high school (8.81). Also, employed has significantly higher mean of 11.68 than unemployed (9.4). Similarly, those with relatives that has history of GDM has also higher mean of 11.04, as compared to only 9.22 among those without. Education level and history of GDM of their relatives is a significant factor of their attitude.

Conclusion:

Although a more significant portion of the subjects possessed adequate knowledge and positive attitudes, many GDM patients were unaware of gestational diabetes mellitus and glycemic control, which cannot be ignored. Pregnant women with lower education, unemployed, and without relatives with diabetes mellitus were particularly vulnerable.