Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of the effectiveness of group education on knowledge for women with newly diagnosed gestational diabetes

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is identified in pregnancy and resolves following delivery. It increases maternal and foetal morbidity and may increase risk of future type 2 diabetes. Women diagnosed with GDM need high-quality multidisciplinary education in order to apply necessary changes to their diet and lifestyle. There is a paucity of information on the effectiveness of group education for women with GDM.

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a multidisciplinary group intervention delivered by a specialist midwife and dietitian on women’s knowledge of GDM.

Methods

All women with a diagnosis of GDM were invited to attend a multidisciplinary group educational session on lifestyle and GDM management. Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire before and after the educational intervention; only individuals who completed both questionnaires were included. The questionnaire reviewed knowledge of suitable diet, implications of GDM diagnosis and management of GDM.

Results

A total of 716 women completed both questionnaires; mean age of the participants was 34 years. Just under half of women (46.9%, n = 333) were primiparous. The majority of the women (62.5%, n = 439) were Irish; 53.4% (n = 382) had a family history of diabetes. There was a significant increase in median score for knowledge following the educational intervention (pre-intervention score 8 (−2–12); post-intervention score 12 (1–12); p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the benefit of a multidisciplinary group educational session delivered by a specialized midwife and a dietitian on pregnant women’s knowledge and understanding of GDM.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. McPhee AJ, Crowther CA, Middleton P, et al (2014). Screening and subsequent management for gestational diabetes for improving maternal and infant health. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

  2. International association of diabetes and pregnancy study groups recommendations on the diagnosis and classification of hyperglycemia in pregnancy. Reviews/Commentaries/ADA Statements. 2010 ;33(3):676–82. Available from: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/33/3/676 doi: 10.2337/dc09-1848.

  3. Bernstein JA, McCloskey L, Gebel CM et al (2016) Lost opportunities to prevent early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus after a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes: Table 1. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 4(1):e000250

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Crowther CA, Hiller JE, Moss JR et al (2005) Effect of treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus on pregnancy outcomes. N Engl J Med 352(24):2477–2486

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Schwartz N, Green M, Nachum Z (2015) Risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus recurrence: a meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 212(1):S405–S406

    Google Scholar 

  6. McGowan C, Walsh JM, Byrne J, Curran S, McAuliffe FM (2013) The influence of a low glycaemic index dietary intervenion on maternal dietary intake, glycaemic index and gesatational weight gain during pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial. Nut J 12:e140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. . Sousa AM da S , , Fiuza D, Mikami, FCF, et al. Evaluation of information retention and adherence to treatment in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus after multidisciplinary group. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira. 2016 62(3):212–217.

  8. Tadesse WG, Dunleavy F, Nazir SF et al (2016) Multidisciplinary group education for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus. AJOG 214(1):S92–S93 (Abstract No 139)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Kirkpatrick R (1996) Great ideas revisited. Techniques for evaluating training programs. Revisiting Kirkpatrick’s four-level model. Train Dev 50:54–59

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UCD School of Medicine, Dublin 2, Ireland

    H. Alayoub

  2. Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin 2, Ireland

    S. Curran

  3. Midwifery, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin 2, Ireland

    M. Coffey

  4. Endocrinology, Mater Misercordiae Hospital, Dublin 2, Ireland

    M. Hatunic

  5. UCD Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, National Maternity Hospital, University College Dublin, Holles Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

    M. Higgins

Authors
  1. H. Alayoub
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Curran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Coffey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Hatunic
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. Higgins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Higgins.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alayoub, H., Curran, S., Coffey, M. et al. Assessment of the effectiveness of group education on knowledge for women with newly diagnosed gestational diabetes. Ir J Med Sci 187, 65–68 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-017-1609-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-017-1609-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation