Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a carbohydrate intolerance resulting in hyperglycemia during pregnancy. Women with a history of GDM are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to determine Saudi women’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards participating in different early postpartum interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes after GDM.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to February 2024 in Taif City, Saudi Arabia through a validated online questionnaire. the Saudi women who lived in Taif city, older than 18 were included in the study.
Results: A total of 354 participants were included. Of them, 54.5% were aged less than 30 years and 68.6% had a university level of education. Additionally, 32.5% had no children and 18.4% had only one child. Almost one-third of the participants (31.1%) had chronic diseases and 69.5% had a family history of diabetes mellitus. Of the participants, 26% had a previous history of GDM, and of them, 63.1% were advised to take blood sugar control pills by their doctor. A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge scores and attitude scores.
Conclusion: The majority of the participants had been prescribed blood sugar control medications by their doctors, and a significant portion had a history of GDM. The survey also showed that most participants knew that women with a history of GDM had a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes. They also knew about the usage of certain drugs and other preventive measures like dietary and activity modifications.
Key words: Saudi, women, attitude, postpartum, diabetes, gestational
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