Written Health Education Materials for Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus - Evaluation of Usefulness and Patients' Satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Written health educational materials are an integral part of the treatment process. Because of the constantly increasing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) global rate, pregnant women require accessible, easy-to-understand and evidence-based medical information about this pregnancy complication. AIM: To adapt and elaborate printed educational materials on GDM and to evaluate the usefulness of the produced training materials and pregnant women's satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study implemented a methodological approach covering three phases: (1) systematic literature review; (2) compilation of printed educational materials for pregnant women with GDM; (3) evaluation of the usefulness and satisfaction with the produced educational materials through a focus group consisting of pregnant women. A seven-item self-administered feedback questionnaire was adopted for evaluation of patient satisfaction after the use of educational materials. RESULTS: An educational manual was developed in compliance with the main requirements for effectiveness of educational materials referring to content, structure, language, layout and illustrations. The usefulness of the educational manual and patient satisfaction were evaluated by a sample group of 20 women with GDM. Approximately 95% agreed or strongly agreed that the information in the educational manual was useful. The patients' assessment of the understanding and readability of the written materials showed a satisfaction rate of 85%. The overall assessment for the educational materials was very high - excellent (65%), very good (30%) and good (5%). CONCLUSION: The provision of educational materials on GDM can enhance pregnant women's health literacy as well as their responsibility, motivation and attitude to their personal health.

Association between community noise and adiposity in patients with cardiovascular disease.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to explore the effect of community noise on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A representative sample of 132 patients from three tertiary hospitals in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria was collected. Anthropometric measurements were linked to global noise annoyance (GNA) based on different residential noise annoyances, day-evening-night (Lden), and nighttime (Lnight) road traffic noise exposure. Noise map Lden and Lnight were determined at the living room and bedroom façades, respectively, and further corrected to indoor exposure based on the window-opening frequency and soundproofing insulation. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Results showed that BMI and WC increased (non-significantly) per 5 dB. The effect of indoor noise was stronger in comparison with that of outdoor noise. For indoor Lden, the effect was more pronounced in men, those with diabetes, family history of diabetes, high noise sensitivity, using solid fuel/gas for domestic heating/cooking, and living on the first floor. As regards indoor Lnight, its effect was more pronounced in those with low socioeconomic status, hearing loss, and using solid fuel/gas for domestic heating/cooking. GNA was associated with lower BMI and WC. CONCLUSION: Road traffic noise was associated with an increase in adiposity in some potentially vulnerable patients with CVD.