Abstract:

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a subtype of diabetes mellitus defined as the development, or first recognition, of glucose intolerance during pregnancy. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is greater in mothers with GDM compared to the general population. Preventing the development of GDM could help lower the prevalence of T2DM and long-term morbidity in children of affected mothers. The purpose of this study was to determine the awareness of GDM and its risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Buzuruga Health Centre, Mwanza Tanzania, exploring where participants obtained information, and understanding their attitudes towards diet and physical activity.

Objective: To determine awareness and risk factors of gestational diabetes among pregnant women attending ANC at BHC.

Methods: A quantitative cross sectional hospital-based study was conducted among 200 pregnant women attending ANC at BHC from July to August 2023. Data was collected using a structured translated questionnaire adopted from a study done in Samoa. Data analysis was performed using SPSS.

Results: In this study, 200 participants who attended ANC at BHC form July 2023 to August 2023 were involved aged 18 years and above with a median age of 25 (18-41). A large proportion were in the 2nd trimester (57.5%), multiparous (57%) with majority of them in a secondary level of education (54.5%). The awareness of GDM among participants was 39.5% and only 2 women could identify all four major risk factors for GDM. The most recognized risk factor for GDM was family history of DM (41.9%) followed by rapid weight gain during pregnancy (23 .8%). Also most of them had a healthy weight (64.18%) and 57% identified regular exercise and 60% identified that healthy diet as preventive measures against GDM. Analysis done between awareness of GDM against level of education showed that: there was a weak significant statistical difference in awareness of GDM and education level with a p value of 0.28, showing that education level does not determine awareness of GDM its risk factors among participants. This could be due to a small sample size or misunderstanding of the questions.

Conclusion: From the results, education is still needed among pregnant women on GDM and its associated risk factors since a large number are not aware and other have a wrong perception about this knowledge making it a centre of prevention to all non- communicable diseases to be expected during pregnancy together with its complications.