Assessment of health status management in women with gestational diabetes

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the health management in women with gestational diyabetes mellitus. Method: Designed as descriptive and crosssectional, the study was performed in the pregnancy clinic of a university hospital between 1st January and 31st August 2010. All patients applying to the clinic during the study with gestational diyabetes via oral glucose tolerance testing (n=149) constituted the universe of the study. Not using insulin, pregnant were included in the study that participating in the educational program at least for two months between the weeks 24 and 38 during their pregnancies. Totally 120 individuals were recruited, 60 as insulin-diet-exercise health management program, and 60 in only diet-exercise health management program. Findings: The mean age of the women were 32,8±5,1 and 47,5% were primary school graduates. Of the women, 80.8% were housewives. It was determined that the mean HbA1c (p=0,016) and postprandial blood glucose levels (p=0,034) of women in insulin-diet-exercise health management program were statistically and significantly lower and controlled than those in onlydiet-exercise health management program. The mean fasting blood glucose level was lower in those using insulin, but this score was statistically insignificant (p=0,131). The comparison of the two groups revealed that the rate of compliance with the diet (p=0,003) and exercise (p=0.269) programs prescribed was lower in those using insulin. Conclusion: Forming life style changes by involving women into health management programs effectively plays a key role in decreasing the negative effects of gestational diyabetes mellitus to the lowest levels for both the mothers and the newborns.