Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The prevalence of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been increasing recently. Educating women of childbearing age about GDM, its risk factors and complications may help its prevention and improve its outcomes. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of Tunisian pregnant women about gestational diabetes, its risk factors and its consequences.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among pregnant women who were referred to the National Institute of Nutrition for management of GDM. Women without prior diabetes mellitus were included. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect their socio-demographic characteristics and to assess their knowledge about gestational diabetes, its risk factors and its consequences. Data of biological examinations were collected from medical files of patients.

Results: The study included 30 pregnant women of average age 33.6±5.3 years. Approximately 37% of women were primiparous. Overweight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m²), diabetes mellitus in first-degree family members and advanced age (≥35 years) were prevalent risk factors in our population (73%, 60% and 57% respectively). Quarter of women had a past medical history of GDM and only 3% reported a previous history of macrosomia. More than 75% had completed at least secondary school education. Less than half of women (47%) didn’t have an idea about GDM. However, 43% of the population knew that GDM is a transitory hyperglycemia which occurs in pregnancy. Other definitions as transitory pancreatic dysfunction or as feeling of hungry or as asthenia were reported. The most commonly reported risk factors of GDM were high carbohydrate intake (80%) and psychological stress (40%). Only 6% of women knew that overweight and family history of diabetes can be predictive factors of GDM. Consequences of GDM weren’t well known for the majority of our patients. Macrosomia and malformations were identified as GDM consequences by 33% and 27% respectively. Sixty percent were worried about causing diabetes to the fetus. Also, many women (43%) didn’t know the increased risk for development of Type2 diabetes in future.

Conclusion: In this study, the majority of women had limited knowledge of gestational diabetes, its risk factors and its consequences. Furthermore, it was interesting to report that Tunisian pregnant women thought that stress increased the risk of developing gestational diabetes. The improvement of awareness of GDM since the preconception period can be useful to reduce the prevalence of this type of diabetes and to incite pregnant women to better take care during all their pregnancy.