EC Nutrition

Background and Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus is neglected threat to mothers and their child. Even though gestational diabetes mellitus is one of the leading non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia, common determining factors that link to it are poorly understood, particularly in the study area. For this reason, identifying common risk factors that have a direct relationship to gaps in gestational diabetes care would be crucial to stop the issue before it arises. To identify factors associated with gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public Health facilities in Dire Dawa town 2021.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted from April 01/04/2021 - May 20/ 05/2021 at four Health Centers and one Hospital in Dire Dawa city. Unmatched case control study was conducted on pregnant women who started ANC follow up. Totally 576 pregnant women which are 144 cases and 432 controls needed for study. Data were entered in to Epi-Data version 3.1 computer software and exported to SPSS statistical software version 22 for analysis. The descriptive analysis was done using numerical summary measures and the data was presented using frequency tables, figures and graphs. All covariates that was significant at p value < 0.25 in bivariate analysis was considered for further multivariable analysis to detect true predictors. To measure the strength of association between variables with pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus or without gestational diabetes mellitus, crude and adjusted odd ratios with 95% confidence interval will be calculated. Finally, level of statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05.

Results: Maternal age (age > 34) AOR = 4.41; 95% CI: 2.33 - 8.34), family history of diabetes (AOR = 2.56; 95% CI: 1.31 - 4.99), low physical activity (AOR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.47 - 5.45) and inadequate dietary diversity (AOR =0.35; 95% CI: 0.21 - 0.57) were significantly associated with GDM.

Conclusion and Recommendation(s): Advanced maternal age, family history of diabetes mellitus and occupational status of pregnant women were identified as a risk factors for the occurrence of GDM, while having high physical activity and adequate maternal dietary diversity were revealed to protective factors for GDM. promote blood glucose level testing and strengthen gestational diabetes mellitus screening based on risk factors and putting preventive measures like be Physically active and adequate dietary diversity during pregnancy is helpful to prevent effects of GDM on the mother and newborn. The study’s finding would be an input for decision makers to combat GDM.

 Keywords: Antenatal Ethiopia; Health Facilities; Gestational Diabetes Mellitus; Pregnant Women

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