Prevalence and predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Dodoma region, Tanzania: an analytical cross-sectional study

Abstract

IntroductionGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is rapidly increasing worldwide. Globally, 18.4 million pregnancies are complicated by GDM. Despite its known effect, GDM screening is not part of routine antenatal services in Tanzania. There is paucity of data on the magnitude and risk factors for GDM. Therefore, this study sought to determine prevalence and predictors of GDM among pregnant women in Dodoma region, Tanzania from March to August 2018.Research design and methodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in Dodoma region, Tanzania between April and August of 2018. A total of 582 pregnant women were recruited from four local health facilities, where purposive sampling procedure was used to select the region, districts and health facilities. Simple random sampling was used to select study participants. Screening and diagnosis of GDM were performed using the 2013 WHO criteria. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS V.23 to determine prevalence and independent predictors of GDM.ResultsAmong 582 participants, 160 (27.5%) participants were diagnosed with GDM. GDM was more prevalent in urban areas than rural areas, among overweight participants, among participants with a history of a large for gestational age baby, among participants with a history of caesarean section, and among participants with college or university education. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that maternal age above 35 years (adjusted OR (AOR) 3.115 (95% CI: 1.165 to 8.359)), pre-eclampsia (AOR 3.684 (95% CI: 1.202 to 5.293)), low physical activity level (AOR 4.758 (95% CI: 2.232 to 10.143)), lack of awareness of GDM (AOR 6.371 (95% CI: 1.944 to 13.919)), alcohol use (AOR 4.477 (95% CI: 1.642 to 12.202)) and family history of diabetes (AOR 2.344 (95% CI: 1.239 to 4.434)) were significantly associated with GDM.ConclusionsPrevalence of GDM is relatively high in Dodoma region. Most pregnant women are unaware of the condition such that it leads to a high-risk lifestyle. Besides, GDM significantly contributes to the number of high-risk pregnancies that go undetected and suboptimally managed. The antenatal care centres offer an optimum platform for screening, preventing and treating GDM by prioritising high-risk women.

Perinatal outcomes among twin pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus: A nine-year retrospective cohort study

“…In line with previous reports ( 14 , 15 , 23 , 31 ), women with GDM were of advanced age and higher BMI. Conversely, our finding, that the incidence of PIH or PE between GDM and non-GDM women was similar, was conflicting with previous studies, which reported a relationship between GDM and HDP in both singleton and twin pregnancies ( 15 , 21 , 32 ). We also found that GDM pregnancies were more likely to be assisted conception, which might be affected by maternal age and BMI because women with advanced age or obesity are likely to be in need of fertility treatment ( 33 ).…”

“…These residual confounding cannot be rule out. In this study, we used the measured weight at the first prenatal visit before 14 weeks to calculate the maternal BMI, which may introduce bias, despite its satisfying correlation with pre-pregnancy weight ( 32 ). At last, selection bias could be caused by excluding pregnant women with their first visit after 14 weeks of gestations to ensure information completeness of maternal BMI.…”

Gestational diabetes mellitus and adverse pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Of the 44 993 studies identified, 156 studies,2324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119…”

Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectroscopy-Based Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Potential Biochemical Markers for Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

“…GDM affects from 2 to 38% of pregnancies, depending on the diagnostic criteria and population studied (Alesi et al, 2021). Additionally, its prevalence worldwide is rising (Mdoe et al, 2021). In 2017, GDM affected about 204 million women worldwide, with a projection to increase to 308 million by 2045, mostly in developing countries (Yahaya et al, 2020).…”

“…In 2017, GDM affected about 204 million women worldwide, with a projection to increase to 308 million by 2045, mostly in developing countries (Yahaya et al, 2020). Several factors can impact the onset of GDM, including immune function disorder, heredity, gene mutations, and especially the effect of hormones (Mdoe et al, 2021). Women who had GDM have an elevated risk to develop diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) or cardiovascular diseases, as well as obesity or hyperlipidemia in later life (Plows et al, 2018).…”