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