Effect of an educational program and spouse support on health-promoting behaviors and glycemic control in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Abstract:
A quasi-experimental research was carried out to examine the effect of an
educational program and spouse support on health-promoting behaviors and glycemic
control in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Pender’s health
promotion model was used as the conceptual framework of this study. The sample
consisted of 60 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus who were recruited
from the prenatal clinic at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital in Chiang Mai,
Thailand. The sample was divided into a control group and an experimental group.
Each group consisted of 30 participants. The control group received the usual care
from nursing staff, while the experimental group received the usual care combined
with an educational program and spouse support. Data were collected from April to
October, 2007 by using the personal characteristics questionnaire, blood sugar
recording form, perceived benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy of health-promoting
behaviors questionnaires and health-promoting behaviors recording form. Data were
analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
Results of this study indicated that the participants in the experimental group
had significantly higher scores of perceived benefits and perceived self-efficacy,
lower scores of perceived barrier than those in the control group (p < .001, p < .01 and
p < .01 respectively). The experimental group had overall scores of health-promoting
behaviors that were higher than the control group (p < .01). For glycemic control, the
experimental group had a lower fasting blood sugar level than the control group
(p < .05). However, two hours postprandial blood sugar level was not significantly
different between the participants in both groups (p > .05).
Based on findings of the study, the educational program and spouse support
should be continued in order to promote healthy behavior in pregnant women with
gestational diabetes mellitus