Abstract
Introduction: Awareness regarding Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) among antenatal women is necessary for early diagnosis and management of the disease for ensuring a safe motherhood and a healthy child. Objective: This study envisaged to assess the awareness regarding GDM and its determinants among antenatal women attending healthcare facilities in a rural area of West Bengaland to explore the perspectives of health workers with regard to gaps in proper awareness generation activities among antenatal women. Method: This mixed-method study was conducted from April 2021 to July 2021 at 4 health facilities in Singur, West Bengal. Quantitative data were collected from 195 antenatal women using a pretested questionnaire which were analysed using SPSS software. Qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews among 6 health workers working in the health facilities and were analysed thematically. Results: Overall, 75.4% of participants were not aware of GDM. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that secondary education and below (AOR=3.48, 95% CI=1.63-7.42), no history of GDM among family & relatives (AOR=7.24,95% CI=2.12-24.66), lesser number of antenatal visits (AOR=3.48, 95% CI=1.63-7.42) and non-receipt of counselling regarding GDM during antenatal visits (AOR= 3.09, 95% CI =1.45–6.58) had a significant association with poor awareness. From health workers’ perspectives, lack of reorientation training, shortage of supplies for testing, and overburdening with other responsibilities were the major gaps identified in proper awareness generation activities. Conclusion: Present study revealed majority of study participants possessed poor knowledge regarding GDM. Reorientation training of health workers, organizing awareness campaigns at the community level, and relevant counselling regarding GDM during each antenatal visit should be given utmost priority for improving knowledge about the disease.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
