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.

Keywords:

• diabetes mellitus
• gestational
• blood glucose self-monitoring
• health-related behavior
• diet modification
• surveys and questionnaires

Abbreviations

GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus; OGTT, oral glucose tolerance test; T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus; KAP, Knowledge, attitude and practice; BMI, body mass index; POS, polycystic ovary syndrome; K1–K18, knowledge dimension consisted of 18 questions; SD, standard deviation.

Data Sharing Statement

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

This work has been carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (2000) of the World Medical Association. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hangzhou Women’s Hospital (ethics approval number: 2022K0807), and all participants provided informed written consent.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all the women who kindly agreed to participate in this study.

Author Contributions

JT, YW and LC carried out the studies, participated in collecting data and drafted the manuscript. JT and YW performed the statistical analysis and participated in its design. XZ and HF participated in acquisition, analysis or interpretation of data and draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval for the version to be published; and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded as a Hangzhou Special Science and Technology Project for the Supporting of the Development of Biomedical and Health Industry (Research on Digital Diagnosis and Treatment Platform of Perinatal Nutrition and Intelligent Application of Key Technologies; grant no. 2021WJCY332).