Factors Related to Self-care Behaviors on Glycemic Control of Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Class A1

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to study factors related to self-care behaviors on glycemic control blood sugar level of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1. The samples were 127 pregnant women with GDM A1 at gestational age 24 to 28 weeks, visiting antenatal clinic
at Rajavithi Hospital. Data collection was gathered by using questionnaires, which consisted of six parts including demographic data, perception on disease and severity of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1, self-management of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1, family interaction and stressful factors, having interaction between health professionals in the antenatal clinic and pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1, and self-care behaviors on glycemic control of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1. Content validity of questionnaires was confirmed by three experts, which content validity index was at 0.85. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was at 0.80.
The findings revealed that mean score of self-care behaviors on glycemic control was in the medium level (Mean = 2.60, SD. = .25). According to the factors on Individual system, the results found that there was a significant difference between mean score of self-care behaviors on glycemic
control and the participants, which different levels of education at least one pair (F = 5.708, p = .001).
     There were no statistically significant differences in the mean score of self-care behaviors on glycemic control and marital status. Age was negative statistically correlated with self-care behaviors on glycemic control of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1 (r =-.183, p = .04). Perception on disease and severity of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1 had no statistically significant correlated with self-care behaviors on glycemic control (r = 1.61, p = .070). Self-management of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1 was positively statistically correlated with self-care behaviors on glycemic control of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1 (r=.535, p < .001). According to Interpersonal system, the results found that family interaction was positively statistically correlated with self-care behaviors on glycemic control of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1 (r = .302, p = .001). Stressful factors had no statistically significant correlated with self-care behaviors on glycemic control (r = .054, p = .547). According to social system, the results found that having interaction between antenatal healthcare professionals and pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1 was positive statistically significant related to self-care behaviors on glycemic control (r = .185, p = .038). This research suggested that healthcare professionals involving pregnant women with
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A1 should promote self-care behaviors on glycemic control by enhancing self-management of pregnant women and interaction between family, antenatal healthcare professionals and pregnant women with GDM A1.