Prevalence, predictors and challenges of gestational diabetes mellitus screening among pregnant women in northern Tanzania

Abstract

Prevalence of GDM is high in Moshi. We recommend introduction of routine screening for hyperglycaemia during pregnancy along with strategies for follow-up to prevent long-term effects of GDM and DIP in women and their children.

Gestational diabetes using diverse diagnostic criteria, risk factors including dietary intakes, pregnancy outcomes and postpartum glycemic status: a nested case-control study in Ghana

“…Lower prevalence has been reported in African countries including Ghana (9.3%) [16], South African (9.1%) [21] and Nigeria (8.6%) [22] compared with developed regions like North America (12%) and Europe (14%) [2]. But Africa appears to be catching-up fast as pockets of high cases have recently been reported in Tanzania (19.5%) [23], South Africa (25.8%) [24] and Morocco (23.7%) [25]. However, diverse algorithms for testing and diagnosing pose challenges in comparing prevalence, risks, treatment effects, pregnancy outcomes, and harmonizing clinical practice [12].…”

“…However, diverse algorithms for testing and diagnosing pose challenges in comparing prevalence, risks, treatment effects, pregnancy outcomes, and harmonizing clinical practice [12]. In Tanzania for instance, a large variation was found between GDM prevalence per fasting glucose (18.3%) and 2-h OGTT (4.3%) [23].…”

“…Traveling longer distances for emergency EmONC increases risks for complications and bad obstetric outcomes. But undoubtfully, the nutrition transition poses risk for urban dwellers [2,4,7] who are significantly more obese (4.3% vs 13.5%), have higher triglycerides (35.0% vs 64.4%) [14] and double odds for obesity [16,23].…”

“…A key challenge in GDM testing is the 'no show' syndrome. While 23% of the pregnant women booked for GDM testing in Tanzania failed to attend their appointment [23], 45%…”

Implementation of a new program of gestational diabetes screening and management in Morocco: A qualitative exploration of health workers’ perceptions

“…Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), an elevated blood sugar for the first time detected in pregnancy, is gaining increasing global health attention due to its rising prevalence worldwide with global estimates of 13.2% [1]. While highest overall rates of 23% are reported from South-East Asia [1], recent studies from Cameroon, Tanzania and Morocco already indicate prevalence rates of around 20% [2][3][4]. Given the impact of GDM on the health of future generations, the developmental origins of health and disease concept implies that early interventions already targeting the uterine environment of the unborn child can reduce the future risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and other metabolic diseases [5,6].…”