Prevalence of Hyperglycemia among Pregnant Mothers in Isingiro District Uganda: A Call to Enhance Antenatal Care Services

Abstract

Globally, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a public health concern affecting 14% of all pregnancies and continues to increase worldwide. The case of developing countries display a dark situation with over 16% of pregnant mothers being at risk due to related factors like increasing urbanization, decreasing levels of physical activity, changes in dietary patterns and increasing prevalence of obesity. The findings contribute towards enhancing antenatal care (ANC) services as a complete package of maternal health care in Isingiro district and other similar resource constrained settings in Uganda. To achieve the study purpose, the study determined the prevalence, maternal characteristics and the association thereof among pregnant mothers at MINC Medical Center in Isingiro District Western Uganda.

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study design was adopted. Maternal characteristics were collected using an interview method. A questionnaire was used to collect data about the participants’ maternal characteristics including age, sex, parity, level of education and lifestyle related information. The questionnaire was filled by a trained research assistant on behalf of the participant. The characteristics were grouped into two categories: bio-data and maternal history.

Results: Majority of the respondents (235, 76.6%) were in the age bracket 19-30 years, with the mean age 26.4 years, this is the most reproductive age of most mothers. The majority of the respondents were primary school leavers (193, 63.4%).  Most women attending ANC are either housewives or shop attendants (169, 55.2%).

Conclusion: The results of the present study highlight the importance of introducing random blood sugar (RBS) as a point of care test in the ANC for early screening of GDM. Incorporating of age related advantages while sensitizing mothers during the ANC visit in relation to GDM. Additionally, integrating lifestyle modification topics for mothers so as to delay lifestyle related diseases including diabetes mellitus.