Endocrine Abstracts

Aim

To evaluate the impact of printed educational materials on knowledge in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Materials and methods

A randomized controlled trial was performed among women with GDM. A total of 135 pregnant women with GDM who attended antenatal clinic were randomly assigned to either an intervention (45 pregnant women) or a control group (90 pregnant women). The women from intervention group received additional printed educational materials about GDM management, while patients from control group received standard care. A self-administrated questionnaire was used for evaluation of women’s knowledge about GDM management. Data was statistically processed using SPSS ver. 17.

Results

Demographic and maternal characteristics were similar in both groups. The overall mean age was 32.3±4.9 years ranging from 24 to 45. The correct answers about knowledge of diabetes complications were reported in more than 50% of women in both groups. There was a significant difference in knowledge about the risk factors for GDM (85% in intervention group vs 44% in control group, P < 0.01). The number of correct answers were higher in the intervention group in regard of GDM treatment (92% compared with 79% in control group, P < 0.01), self-monitoring of blood glucose and outcomes of GDM (P < 0.01). The differences in nutritional knowledge were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

The results from the study show that printed educational materials can improve patients’ knowedge about GDM management as well as their health literacy and motivation.