FACTORS INFLUENCING BLOOD GLUCOSE CONTROL BEHAVIOR AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN WITH CLASS A1 GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS IN WENZHOU, CHINA

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. It can lead to a number of serious maternal and infant complications. This study aimed to investigate blood glucose control behavior among pregnant women with GDM and its influencing factors in Wenzhou, China. A total of 131 participants were recruited using simple random sampling in the clinic at the second affiliated hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. The data was collected using online questionnaires via WeChat mobile application. The questionnaires included general information questionnaire, GDM-related perceived susceptibility questionnaire, GDM-related perceived barrier questionnaire, diabetes self-efficacy scale, diabetes social support scale and GDM blood glucose control behavior questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and standard multiple linear regression were used to analyze data.

The study results revealed that the blood glucose control behavior among pregnant women with class A1 GDM is at a moderate level. Age, perceived susceptibitity, perceived barrier, self-efficacy,and social support explained 45% of the variance in blood glucose control behavior. Self-efficacy (β = . 47, p < .001), age (β = .22, p < .001), perceived barrier (β = .-15, p＜.05), and perceived susceptibitity (β = .14, p＜.05) were effective predictors of blood glucose control behavior. However, social support (β = .11, p >. 05) did not significantly predict blood glucose control behavior.

The results of this study provide preliminary information on blood glucose control behavior and its predictive factors in pregnant women with class A1 GDM. Important influencing factors, including self-efficacy, perceived susceptibitity, perceived barriers and age should be taken into account when developing nursing intervention to improve blood glucose control behavior among pregnant women.

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