CLINICAL ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG WOMEN

Abstract

Introduction: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus rises the chance of health problems both risks development for the mom, and fetus. With adverse effects on psychological and medical well-being meaning a diminished in Quality of Life (QOL). Aim: To explore quality of life among women with gestational diabetes. Methods: A descriptive design was used for the study. The study was conducted at outpatient clinics of Suez Canal University Hospital. This study was conducted during June 2017 to December 2018. Convenience sample of two hundred pregnant women medically diagnosed with gestational diabetes were considered. Interview questionnaire sheet included five parts and QOL scale according to (Quality of life index diabetes version-111). Results: A sum of 200 mothers diagnosed with GDM were studied, their age range between 20-42, with Mean ±SD 29.7 ± 5.8 years, with gestational diabetes (53%). The quality of life to be the best in the social/economic domain, psychological/ spiritual domain, family domain and slightly worse in the health and functioning domain (66%, 64%, 48.0% and 32.0% respectively). There is highly significant difference between age, university education, living in urban area and knowledge. There is positive significant correlation between health and functioning domain, social economic domain, psychological spiritual domain and family domain with p<0.001. Conclusion: More than two thirds of the studied mothers were satisfied with both social/economic and psychological/ spiritual domains. Majority of studied mothers have appropriate knowledge about management of hypoglycemia. More than three fourth of studied sample did not have knowledge about symptoms of GDM. Recommendations: Designing guideline and brochure must be distributed among women attending antenatal clinic about self-care to promote their health concerning gestational diabetes.