The Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Predisposing Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Kawolo General Hospital. A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study.

Authors

  • Comfort Ochieng Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Kezia Kalembe Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Collins Mujjuzi Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Anna Nakhabi Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Isaac Kakinda Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Enoch Muwanguzi Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Yona Mbalibulha Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v3i9.205

Keywords:

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors, Screening, Kawolo General Hospital

Abstract

Background

Globally, the prevalence of Hyperglycemia first detected in pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus) varies from 1 - 28 %. 16.2 % of women have some form of hyperglycemia, of which GDM is about 85.1%.  87.6% of GDM accounts are in low- and middle-income countries. Hyperglycemia in pregnancy is estimated to affect 21.4 million (16.9%) live births, with GDM accounting for 16% of these cases. In Kawolo General Hospital, pregnant women aren’t screened for blood glucose during antenatal visits, thus the need and relevance of investigating GDM, according to WHO recommendations.

Methodology:

A total of 334 participants were recruited by systematic random sampling. Blood and urine samples were collected.  RBS, OGTT, and urine glucose tests were done. Data were analyzed using STATA version 13 to determine the prevalence and association between the risk factors of GDM among the respondents.

Results

The study revealed the prevalence of GDM as 4.5%.  Hypertension and elevated blood pressure were significantly associated with GDM, with p values of 0.00 and 0.01 respectively among women of various ages, gravida, and trimester. The majority of the participants were aged 18 to 25 years (58.7%). over 86.5% were married. 56.9% had secondary education. (38.9%) were unemployed. (34.4%) were Catholics. (46.1%) had normal body mass index with an average body weight of 65 kg and 160cm (height). 70.6% had normal blood pressure. 21.56% had elevated blood pressure. (56.6%) had their protein uptake. Vitamins (100%) were high, moderate for carbohydrates (70.1%), and 96.4% low for fats.

Conclusion

The prevalence and associated factors among pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic were revealed, and thus the need for screening and treatment of both high blood pressure and high blood glucose levels.

Recommendations:

There’s a need to advise and sensitize them to complete all the antenatal visits and create awareness among pregnant women.

Author Biographies

Comfort Ochieng, Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.

Comfort Ochieng: Received her certificate in medical laboratory techniques in 2011 from Jinja medical laboratory training school, and Diploma in medical laboratory Technology in 2014 from Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences UIAHMS-Mulago. Degree from Mbarara University of Science and Technology- MUST in 2022. Currently employed by Pakwach District Local Government as a Laboratory Technician  

Kezia Kalembe, Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.

Kezia Kalembe: Received her Diploma in medical laboratory Technology in 2012 from Jinja Laboratory Training School, with bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory Science from Mbarara University of Science and Technology in 2022. Worked with Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital from 2014 to 2018 Currently working with Najjembe Health Centre III Buikwe District Local Government. 

Collins Mujjuzi, Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.

Collins Mujjuzi: Completed a Certificate and Diploma in medical laboratory Techniques/Technology in 2013 and 2016 respectively from Jinja medical laboratory training school. Currently employed by Butambala District local Government as a medical laboratory Technician. A final year student from Mbarara University of Science and Technology- MUST, Bachelor in medical laboratory science

Anna Nakhabi, Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.

Anna Nakhabi: Received her diploma in medical laboratory Technology in 2016 from Kampala Paramedix Institute and Certificate in medical laboratory techniques in 2010 from Nsambya Hospital School of laboratory Technicians. Finished her degree in medical laboratory science from Mbarara University of Science and Technology- MUST 2022. Currently employed by Nakasero Hospital Limited as a Laboratory Technician.

Isaac Kakinda, Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.

Isaac Kakinda: Received a Certificate in medical laboratory Techniques in 2009 and Diploma in medical laboratory Technology in 2014 from St Elizabeth’s Institute of Health Professional Mukono, and Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences- Mulago (UIAHMS) respectively. Graduate with a degree in medical laboratory science from Mbarara University of Science and Technology 2022, currently working with Bukuya Health Centre IV as a Laboratory Technician Kassanda District Local Government     

Enoch Muwanguzi, Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.

Muwanguzi Enoch: BMLS, MMLS, PgME, PHD Fellow. Worked as a laboratory Technologist in Mulago Hospital, King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, MRC-Uganda and Now Lecturer Mbarara University of Science and Technology since 2002 to date.

Yona Mbalibulha, Department of Medical laboratory Science , Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.

Yona Mbalibulha: Diploma Medical Laboratory Techniques of Makerere University in 1999, Bachelors Medical Laboratory Science and Master Medical Laboratory Science from Mbarara University of Science and Technology 2006 and 2014 respectively, currently a PHD fellow (Health Sciences) at Makerere University. Currently involved in both Immunohematology (Rhesus blood group in pregnancy) and Alcohol consumption in HIV Studies as principal investigator and other studies as Laboratory coordinator or laboratory manager. Have continuously participated in lecturing and research supervision of students (Undergraduate and Masters) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology Department of Medical Laboratory Science.

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Published

2022-09-30

How to Cite

Ochieng, C. ., Kalembe, K. ., Mujjuzi, C. ., Nakhabi, A. ., Kakinda, I., Muwanguzi, E. ., & Mbalibulha, Y. (2022). The Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Predisposing Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Kawolo General Hospital. A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study. Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 3(9), 13. https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v3i9.205

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 9 (2022): September 2022 Issue

Section

Section of Non-communicable Diseases Research

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Isaac Kakinda, Comfort Ochieng, Kezia Kalembe, Collins Mujjuzi, Anna Nakhabi, Isaac Kakinda, Enoch Muwanguzi, Yona Mbalibulha

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.