| dc.description.abstract | Background:
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus(GDM), one of the critical complications during pregnancy, poses
detrimental consequences on both maternal and child health. Worldwide almost 14% of pregnancies
get affected by GDM and the scenario in Bangladesh is no exception here. In Bangladesh, where the
non-communicable disease rate is rising, GDM poses a major public health challenge fueled by factors
like poor coverage of antenatal service, socio-economic disparities,, sedentary lifestyle and limited
physical activity. GDM causes consequences like- gestational hypertension, termination of the
pregnancy through C-section, preeclampsia, high birth weight baby. Moreover, post delivery there
remains the chance of developing impairment of carbohydrate metabolism, obesity, Type-2 Diabetes
Mellitus, cardiovascular disease development among mother and infants. Not only physical
complications, it also comes with a significant economic burden on families and the health care
system. which needs greater attention and awareness. Therefore, this hospital based cross-sectional
study aims to determine the prevalence and determinants of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in urban
chattogram through a hospital based cross sectional study, providing crucial insights for targeted
interventions and improved maternal healthcare.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study design was implemented using structured questionnaire to collect the
numerical data to estimate the prevalence of GDM, and its determinant factors including socio
demographic condition, lifestyle factors, previous maternal history and Adverse Childhood
Experiences(ACEs), among the pregnant women of urban Chattogram. There were usage of multiple
tools to assess the determinant factors. A total of 200 pregnant women in their second & third
trimester visiting for their routine antenatal checkups in hospitals were chosen for the study. It was
mandatory for the selected pregnant women to have the biochemistry report of Fasting Blood
Sugar(FBS) and 2 hrs after 75 gm glucose/2 hrs after breakfast(2HABF). Hospitals were selected
purposively as they are reputed hospitals, and the participants were selected through simple random
sampling. Further, using the SPSS software, the collected information was analysed to determine the
prevalence and determinants of GDM.
Result
The sociodemographic features were- maximum participants 76(38.0%) were from the age group
22-26, almost half(49.5%) of them have completed secondary education, and quarter (25%) of them
have completed Primary Education. Largest portion 49(24.5%) of monthly household income was
more than 35000 taka, and the lowest portion 26(13%) of household income ranged between (25002 to
35002) taka. This study found a 16% prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in the urban
Chattogram population explored. Maternal age was a key predictor, with 34.4% of GDM cases
occurring in women aged 27-31 years. Notably, 87.5% of women with GDM reported eating
insufficient vegetables, indicating a substantial dietary risk factor. Furthermore, 12.5% of GDM cases
had a history of GDM in previous pregnancies, 31.1% had undergone an abortion, and an astonishing
40.6% of women had GDM with severe Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) before the age of 18
were diagnosed. These findings highlight the crucial need for targeted public health initiatives.
Addressing public health interventions focused on promoting healthy dietary habits, raising awareness
about GDM risk factors, and providing accessible mental health services for women with a history of
ACEs.
Conclusion
In this study, the prevalence and determinants of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus(GDM) were studied in
the urban chattogram through cross-sectional study. The prevalence rate of GDM in this study was
16% and critical factors contributing to this prevalence include- maternal age, history of GDM and
abortion, poor intake of vegetables and adverse childhood experiences. To cure this situation,
addressing system-level public health strategies that integrate nutritional education, GDM risk
awareness campaigns, and accessible mental health services within existing maternal healthcare
frameworks is recommended. | en_US |
