Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding self-monitoring of blood glucose among pregnant women with gestational diabetes: a tertiary care hospital study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59736/IJP.24.03.1069Keywords:
Blood Glucose Level, Gestational Diabetes, Good Knowledge, Self-MonitoringAbstract
Background: Gestational diabetes is the term for glucose intolerance that develops during pregnancy and results in clinical hyperglycemia. The majority of people with gestational diabetes can be managed with daily self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). SMBG is a key component of gestational diabetes management; however, limited data are available regarding pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward SMBG in local population. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine the frequency of good knowledge, positive attitude, and satisfactory practice regarding SMBG among pregnant women with gestational diabetes.
Methods: This cross-sectional1study was carried out at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tertiary Care Hospital Gujranwala, Pakistan from June to December 2025. One hundred and twenty women were enrolled from OPD and were asked for their knowledge, attitude and practice for monitoring of blood glucose level. Knowledge, attitude, and practice were assessed using a structured questionnaire, and scores were categorized according to predefined criteria. All this data was recorded in proforma and analyzed in SPSS 25.
Results: The median age of pregnant women was 32.00 (IQR: 8.00) years. The median gestational age was 28.00 (IQ: 7.00) weeks. Out of 120, 12 (10%) were primigravida and 74 (61.7%) had sedentary lifestyle. Among 120 women with gestational diabetes, 50.8% demonstrated good knowledge, 55.0% had a positive attitude, and 41.7% reported satisfactory SMBG practices.
Conclusion: Approximately half of pregnant women with gestational diabetes demonstrated adequate knowledge and positive attitudes toward SMBG, while satisfactory practice remained suboptimal. Educational interventions may help improve SMBG practices and glycemic management during pregnancy.
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