A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and Its Control with Medical Nutritional Therapy among Antenatal Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in a Semi Urban Area

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus is a condition in pregnancy which can cause foetal and maternal complications. After delivery the newborn may have life threatening metabolic complications and later in life may suffer from obesity, glucose intolerance and Diabetes in early adulthood. The mother might also be at the risk of developing type-2 diabetes mellitus. So, the knowledge among the antenatal women will result in disease prevention and early detection.

Aim and Objective: The present study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and its control with medical nutritional therapy among antenatal patients in a tertiary care hospital in semi urban area.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Saveetha Medical College and hospital, Chennai, with a participation of 190antenatal patients attending the hospital for regular antenatal check up and admission for delivery. The study was conducted between the months of January and June of 2021.

Results: In total of 190 study participants, 38(20%) participants acquired the knowledge about Gestational Diabetes Mellitus from family, 73(38.42%) participants acquired from friends, 47(24.73%) participants acquired from medical professionals and 32(16.85%) participants from neighbour.

Conclusion: There was a paucity of knowledge among pregnant women about GDM and its complications. Attitude and practices of antenatal women should be improved through various programs and channels for better antenatal outcomes.