Abstract

Background: Appropriate knowledge among pregnant women regarding the complications of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on mothers and neonates leads to the early diagnosis and management of GDM during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of the effects of GDM on mothers and neonates among pregnant women.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study included direct interviews and an electronic questionnaire-based survey for the data collection. The study was conducted at Maternity & Children's Hospital in the city of Najran, Saudi Arabia, between May and August 2018.
Results: A total of 502 women participated in the study. The results indicated that71.3% and 65.2% of the participants believed that GDM had no effect on mothers and neonates, respectively. Regarding the effect of GDM on mothers, 63%, 60%, 65.7%, and 71.1% of the participants were unsure of whether GDM can increase the risk of oligohydramnios, induction of labor, postpartum hemorrhage, and placental abruption, respectively. Regarding neonatal complications, 70.7% and 68.5% of the participants were unsure of whether GDM can increase the risk of shoulder dystocia and breech delivery, respectively. The factors significantly related to pregnant women’s awareness of the effects of GDM were educational level, nationality, number of pregnancies, GDM, and chronic hypertension (HTN) (P= 0.05).
Conclusion: This study found that pregnant women had inadequate knowledge regarding the effects of GDM on mothers and neonates. Educational level was associated with improved knowledge. Pregnant women need access to specific programs provided by health care providers to improve their knowledge.

Key words: Knowledge, gestational diabetes mellitus, neonates, complication