Determinants of gestational diabetes mellitus: a case-control study

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to identify the determinant factors of GDM.

Methods: An unmatched case-control study was conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the profile of study participants and binary logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of GDM.

Results: GDM was associated with history of abortion (AOR 5.05 [95% CI: 2.65–9.63]), family history of diabetes mellitus (AOR 8.63 [95% CI: 5.19–14.35]), chronic hypertension (AOR 4.63 [95% CI: 1.27–16.86]), dietary diversification score (AOR 2.96 [95% CI: 2–4.46]), regular physical exercise (AOR 0.03 [95% CI: 0.01–0.04]), history of infertility (AOR 6.19 [95%CI: 1.86–20.16]), history of Caesarean section (AOR 3.24 [95% CI: 1.58–6.63]), previous history of GDM (AOR 8.21 [95% CI: 3.18–21.24]), previous history of intrauterine fetal death (AOR 3.96 [95% CI: 1.56–10.04]), literacy (AOR 0.6 [95% CI: 0.43–0.85]), body mass index (AOR 2.96 [95% CI: 2.08–4.2]), parity (AOR 1.78 [95% CI: 1.3–2.49]).

Conclusions: Regular physical exercise should be used as the main tool in preventing GDM.

Keywords:

• Determinants
• Ethiopia
• gestational diabetes mellitus

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge federal democratic republic of Ethiopia for financially sponsoring this research work. I would also like to acknowledge the hospital staffs of Amhara national regional state referral hospitals. At last but not least I would also like to acknowledge all organizations and individuals that contributed to this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health.