Gestational diabetes mellitus in Gaza. Prevalence, risk factors and Gaza women's perspectives

      Аннотация: Recent studies show that the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has increased by approximately 10 to 100% in several race or ethnicity groups during the past 20 years. GDM is associated with perinatal complication and their infants are also at increased risk of developing diabetes later in life, it is critical to assess the patterns in GDM prevalence and its risk factors. In addition, there is little knowledge on the impact of GDM on the lived experiences of GDM women in Gaza. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of GDM and risk factors in Gaza; and also examines the women’s experiences of GDM. A mixed methods design was conducted in two phases. The study concluded that the overall GDM prevalence rate is 1.8% among refugee women in Gaza. Furthermore, the most significantly associated risk factors of GDM among these women were family income, increased pregnancy BMI, history of abortion, history of large baby, history of stillbirth, history of caesarian delivery and positive family history. The majority of women with GDM did not understand gestational diabetes and did not take their insulin doses regularly and did not practice any type of exercise.

Ключевые слова: Diabetes, Prevalence, risk factors, Gestatinal