BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy is one of the most likely determinants of glucose self-management and self-monitoring by diabetic patients. Also, social capital is one of the effective social factors that may affect health behaviors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between social capital and selfefficacy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).METHODS: This descriptive- analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 212 women with GDM in two diabetes center in Mazandaran, north of Iran, from April to July 2019. Patients' social capital and self-efficacy levels were measured using the Social Capital Questionnaire (SCQ) and Confidence in Diabetes Self-Care Scale questionnaire, respectively.RESULTS: Among eight dimensions of social capital, the highest and the lowest mean scores were related to proactivity (21.3) and tolerance of diversity (5) dimensions. The mean (standard deviation=SD) of self-efficacy total score was 40.7(18.2), indicating moderate self-efficacy. Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that there was significant positive relationship between all dimensions of social capital and self-efficacy (p˂0.05). In addition, the results of multiple regression analysis indicated that community participation, neighborhood connections, family and friends' connections, tolerance of diversity and work connections, explained 55% of the variance in self-efficacy in women with GDM (p˂0.05).CONCLUSION: The results highlighted a significant positive relationship between social capital and self-efficacy in women with GDM. Improving women’s social capital may enhance their self-efficacy in controlling GDM.

Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most important medical conditions in high-risk pregnancies. Social capital is one of the essential factors affecting the prevention and control of diabetes and the blood glucose level. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of social capital and its related factors in GDM in the north of Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 212 GDM women who referred to diabetes centers at Razi hospital in Ghaemshahr and Imam Khomeini hospital in Sari in 2019. The women were selected through the convenience sampling method. The data collection tools included Medical-Demographics Information Form and Onyx-Bullen’s Social Capital Questionnaire. Finally, data were analyzed by SPSS (version 25) using descriptive and inferential statistics (multiple regression analysis). Results: The results of this study showed that the mean (standard deviation, SD) of age for GDM women was 29.28 (±5.75). The majority of women (58%) had an academic education. The mean (SD) of social capital was 96.46 (±21.17). Based on the results, a positive and significant correlation was observed between spouse’s education (lower than high school, P=0.001 and academic education, P=0.001), wife’s occupation (employee, P=0.015), spouse’s occupation (employee, P=0.027), and fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P=0.048), as well as a significant negative correlation with 2-hour FBS (P=0.048), 1-hour postprandial glucose level (P=0.001), economic status (dissatisfied, P=0.42), overweight (P=0.009), and obesity (P=0.020). Conclusions: The social capital of GDM women is influenced by various socio-economic factors. According to the findings of this study, women who are economically disadvantaged, overweight, obese, and at high blood sugar levels are at greater risk of rejecting treatment due to low social capital, resulting in poor blood sugar control. Therefore, interventions related to promoting social capital in these groups should be pursued more vigorously, and strengthening of social capital and its influencing factors should be considered as one of the main approaches of health promotion.

Introduction: Fasting has certain effects on metabolic and anthropometric parameters in diabetic patients. It is therefore, necessary for patients to receive proper instructions about their physical activities, eating habits, blood glucose monitoring and medications. Aim: To investigate the effects of fasting on metabolic and anthropometric indices in type II diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was performed during Ramadan 2018. The study population consisted of 40 type II diabetic patients (33 females and 7 males) who wished to fast. They started to follow given instructions on their physical activity, eating habits, blood glucose monitoring, and medications before Ramadan. Anthropometric variables were measured pre and post-Ramadan. Fasting Blood/Plasma Glucose (FBG/FPG), Glucose 2 Hour Postprandial (2h PPG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and the lipids profile were assessed before and after Ramadan. FPG and 2h PPG were also evaluated on the fifteenth day of Ramadan. Data were presented as mean±SD. Paired t-test was employed and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After completion of the study, anthropometric variables of patients, including weight (74.9±12.7 vs. 73.0±13.1 kg, p<0.001), BMI (29.9±5.2 vs. 29.0±5.1 kg/m2, p=0.042), waist circumference (106.2±11.8 vs. 105.3±11.6 cm, p<0.001), conicity index (9.94±0.96 vs 9.80±0.99, p=0.085), systolic blood pressure (118.5±10.6 vs. 113.8±9.4 mmHg, p=0.018), Diastolic blood pressure (72.0±7.9 vs. 68.3±7.0 mmHg, p=0.02) and FPG (125.1±27.4 vs. 105.2±21.4 mg/dL, p<0.001) decreased significantly. However, serum triglyceride increased significantly (127.5±45.5 vs. 166.5±53.5 mg/dL, p<0.001) after fasting compared to pre-Ramadan measurements. Changes in other variables were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that fasting had beneficial effect on fasting blood glucose level and anthropometric parameters in type II diabetic patients.

Background: Fasting has certain effects on metabolic and anthropometric parameters in diabetic patients. It is, therefore, necessary for patients to receive proper education related to their physical activities, eating habits, blood glucose monitoring, and medications. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on metabolic and anthropometric indices in type ΙΙ diabetic patients.Methods: This prospective observational study was performed during Ramadan 2018. The study population consisted of diabetic patients who desired to fast and received information on physical activity, eating habits, blood glucose monitoring, and taking their medications before Ramadan. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), blood sugar 2-hour postprandial (BS2hpp), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), and the lipids profile were assessed before and after Ramadan month. FBS and BS2hpp were also evaluated on the fifteenth day of Ramadan. The significance level for data analysis was considered p<0.05.Results: Out of 40 diabetic cases who completed the study, 6 (15%) were male and 34 (75%) were female. The mean age of participants was 55.2 ± 9.3 years. The anthropometric variables, including weight, BMI, waist, and blood pressure, decreased significantly after Ramadan fasting (p<0.05). FBS decreased significantly (125.1 ± 27.4 vs 105.2 ± 21.4, p<0.0001) and serum triglyceride increased significantly (127.5 ± 45.5 vs 166.5±53.5 mg/dl, p<0.001) after fasting compared to pre-Ramadan measurement. Other variables remained unchanged.Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that type II diabetic patients who have controlled blood sugar and received information based on clinical guidelines about their lifestyle and medications can fast safely during the holy month of Ramadan.