ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition characterized by glucose intolerance that develops during pregnancy. It is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes and has long-term health implications for both the mother and the child. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with and without GDM in the Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Al-Baha region from April 2023 to November 2023. The study included mothers residing in the Al-Baha region who were willing to participate and had access to a social media account. A simple random sampling technique was used, and the estimated sample size was 422. A self-administered electronic questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, as well as the pregnancy outcomes of diabetic and non-diabetic mothers. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28.0 (Released 2012; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). RESULTS: We included 422 women in the study with the majority of participants in the age group of 36-40 years(15.4%, n=74). Most participants (66.6%, n=321) had attained a university degree, and a significant proportion resided in Al-Baha City (52.3%, n=252). Maternal outcomes indicated a significant association between GDM and the development of eclampsia (OR = 8.296, 95%CI: 4.353-15.810, p < 0.001), as well as an increased risk of thyroid diseases (OR = 2.723, 95%CI: 1.428-5.193, p = 0.002). Fetal outcomes revealed a significant association between GDM and respiratory distress/lack of oxygen in newborns (OR = 2.032, 95%CI: 1.085-3.805, p = 0.024), and infants of GDM patients had a higher risk of hypoglycemia (OR = 8.099, 95%CI: 3.350-19.581, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found that GDM increased the risk of complications such as eclampsia, thyroid problems, and postpartum hemorrhage. GDM was also associated with shorter pregnancy durations, higher cesarean section rates, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes post pregnancy. The study emphasized the importance of comprehensive GDM therapy and monitoring.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is associated with the incidence of common fetal problems including intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR), premature delivery oligohydramnios, placental abruption, fetal discomfort, and intrauterine fetal death. Pregnant women are not well-informed about preeclampsia, including its symptoms, risk factors, and consequences. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the awareness of preeclampsia and its associated factors among women in the Al Baha region, Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: An observational cross-sectional design was employed to assess the awareness of preeclampsia and its associated factors among women in the Al Baha region of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected from April 2023 to September 2023. A questionnaire was designed to gather information on participants' sociodemographic characteristics (such as age, educational level, and residency) and their awareness of preeclampsia, including knowledge about signs/symptoms, risk factors, and complications. RESULTS: In the current study, we included 485 pregnant women. The majority of participants were aged 40 years or older (37.5%), followed by those aged 35-39 (20.4%). Among the participants, 70.9% confirmed that they had heard about pre-eclampsia before. The most common signs and symptoms were high blood pressure (47.4%), increased protein in urine (40.2%), continuous headache (39.2%), and vomiting/nausea (40.0%). Participants demonstrated awareness of obesity (29.7%), diabetes mellitus (35.5%), chronic hypertension (47.0%), and chronic kidney disease (31.3%) as major risk factors. Participants were aware of potential risks such as kidney disorders (34.6%), heart disorders (23.7%), and preterm delivery (50.9%). The analysis reveals that younger participants below 20 years old (3.3%) and lower educational levels (5.6%) had lower awareness of preeclampsia compared to older age groups. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study highlight a reasonable level of preeclampsia awareness and knowledge among Saudi Arabian women residing in the Al Baha region. While the majority of participants were familiar with preeclampsia, there were significant knowledge gaps regarding the precise symptoms, risk factors, and consequences of the condition.
