Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Regarding Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction Self-monitoring of blood glucose levels and changes in diet and lifestyle play important roles in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with GDM at Hangzhou Women’s Hospital, China, between September 1, 2022, and October 26, 2022. A questionnaire was designed that included the following dimensions: demographic/clinical information, knowledge, attitude and practice. Correlations between knowledge, attitude and practice scores were evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. Factors associated with practice score ≥14/16 were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Results The analysis included 499 women with GDM and a mean age of 31.22±3.89 years. The average knowledge, attitude and practice score were 11.55±3.04, 34.23±4.06 and 10.7±2.87 points, respectively. Knowledge score was positively correlated with attitude score ( r =0.318, P <0.001) and practice score ( r =0.351, P <0.001); attitude and practice scores were also positively correlated ( r =0.209, P <0.001). Multivariate analysis identified higher knowledge score (odds ratio [OR], 1.138; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.042–1.244; P =0.004) and higher attitude score (OR, 1.137; 95% CI, 1.060–1.219; P <0.001) as independently associated with good practice (ie, practice score ≥14 points). Conclusion The results provide important insights into the knowledge, attitudes and practices of women with GDM in China regarding GDM and its management. These findings may facilitate the development and implementation of education and training programs to improve the self-management of GDM by women in China.

Assessment of the Level of Knowledge About Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Community Sample From Saudi Arabia

“…Females with high knowledge scores had a better attitude towards the importance of monitoring diet and blood glucose levels, the nutritional counseling role during pregnancy, and the drug therapy for diagnosed GDM. They also showed better practices like monitoring diet, weight, blood glucose level, and compliance with the recommendations of doctors and dieticians [27].…”