Gestational Diabetes and Poor Healthcare Affordability Among Pregnant Women: A Double Whammy!

Abstract

The prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is increasing at a rapid pace globally. This is concerning because GDM can lead to serious health problems like Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Depression in both the mother and her baby. GDM also increases healthcare expenditure during and after pregnancy and this is particularly worrisome for women belonging to households with poor healthcare affordability. Given the rising prevalence of GDM and its adverse impact, it is crucial to identify its risk factors and explore the factors associated with healthcare affordability among pregnant women. Our work attempts to identify the association between lifestyle (exercise, fruit, and vegetable consumption), sociodemographic factors, and Gestational Diabetes. Second, attempts to investigate the determinants of Health care affordability among pregnant women. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression is used for investigation purposes. We found Depression, higher BMI, and lower fruit intake to be associated with higher odds of GDM among pregnant women. Whereas the presence of GDM, lower socioeconomic position, absence of health insurance, and single motherhood were found to be associated with poor healthcare affordability. Lifestyle and mental health are associated with the GDM risk in pregnant women. Marital status, health insurance, and socioeconomic position are associated with healthcare affordability among pregnant women. The study can aid in better health outcomes for pregnant women and the creation of inclusive health policies.