Affiliations 

  • 1 Universiti Sains Malaysia
MyJurnal

Abstract

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus is one of the most common complications during pregnancy which affects 15% of pregnant women globally. Gestational diabetes mellitus patients have seven times lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to women with normal pregnancies. Despite these facts, gestational diabetes mellitus patients may not perceive themselves to be at risk for future diabetes. Thus, this study aimed to determine the perception of risk for developing diabetes and factors associated with high risk perception among gestational di-abetes mellitus patients in Johor Bahru. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted between April to May 2019 among 200 gestational diabetes mellitus patients attending primary health clinics in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Data was collected using Malay translated and validated Risk Perception Survey on Developing Diabetes questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: There were 200 cases which fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria in this study. The mean (SD) age of gestational diabetes mellitus patients in this study was 32.2 (4.8) years. Majority of them were from Malay ethnicity (74.5%) and 42.5% obtained higher education. Of these, 77.0% perceived themselves as high risk for developing diabetes. Higher knowledge scores and greater personal control were significantly associated with high perceived risk for developing diabetes (Adj. OR 2.08; 95% CI: 1.02,4.25; p=0.045 and Adj. OR 2.32; 95% CI: 1.16,4.63; p=0.017 respectively). Conclusion: Majority of gestational diabetes mellitus patients in this study accurately perceived themselves as having a high risk to develop diabetes in the future. Nevertheless, health education needs to be individualized and strengthened to ensure more patients are aware of the risk. In addition, further studies are needed to translate perceived risk into preventive health behaviours.