Factors associated with self-management behavior among pregnant women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus in China: A cross-sectional study

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Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses escalating global health threats, particularly in China, with significant maternal-fetal health risks. Effective self-management is crucial to mitigate adverse maternal-neonatal outcomes. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the status of self-management behavior and its associated factors in pregnant women with diet-controlled GDM. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 160 pregnant women with diet-controlled GDM from the antenatal clinic of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from August to October 2024. Eligible participants were identified in the hospital’s antenatal registration system and selected using simple random sampling based on assigned queue numbers. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires assessing SMB, GDM knowledge, illness perception, self-efficacy, social support, and perception of care received. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 with hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results: A moderate level of SMB was observed in 45.6% of the participants (n = 73). Scores for exercise (M = 13.60, SD = 5.60) and glucose monitoring (M = 11.86, SD = 4.32) ranked lowest among SMB domains. The final hierarchical multiple regression model explained 60.6% of the variance in SMB among pregnant women with GDM (R² = 0.606, F(6,153) = 39.28, p < 0.001). Significant factors associated with SMB included GDM knowledge (β = 0.296, 95% CI: 0.869 to 2.161, p < 0.001), social support (β = 0.252, 95% CI: 0.455 to 1.358, p < 0.001), illness perception (β = 0.188, 95% CI: 0.137 to 0.635, p = 0.003), self-efficacy (β = 0.183, 95% CI: 0.086 to 0.499, p = 0.006), and pregnancy-related anxiety (β = -0.188, 95% CI: -1.187 to -0.286, p = 0.002). Perception of care received was not significantly associated with SMB (β = 0.033, 95% CI: -0.303 to 0.579, p = 0.537). Conclusion: These findings identify potential correlates for further nursing interventions, suggesting that tailored, culturally sensitive education, family-centered support, and multidisciplinary care may be beneficial in supporting SMB. Such efforts should prioritize reducing anxiety while fostering knowledge, self-efficacy, and social support.

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Related topics: Gestational Diabetes Research and Management · Diabetes Management and Education · Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare