Oceania University of Medicine; Apia, Samoa.
Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2023 Oct;82(10):227-231.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a diagnosis of glucose intolerance during pregnancy. The risk of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity for the child and mother increases when GDM develops. Preventing the development of GDM could help lower the prevalence of obesity and type II diabetes mellitus morbidity rates in children of affected mothers. The purpose of the study was to identify the awareness level of females ages 12 and 51 years, on the long-term risk of obesity and T2DM on their children in Australia and Samoa. This is a quantitative study involving 202 females, from across Australia and Samoa, between April 2021 and November 2021, comparing the level of knowledge between a developing and developed country. In Australia and Samoa, 15% (n=16) and 34% (n=33) of females respectively, were aware of the long-term complications of GDM on their children. These findings indicate that there is inadequate knowledge regarding the long-term consequences associated with GDM on both the risk for T2DM in women and the risk for long-term complications for their children. The greatest source of information in both countries was obtained from physicians or midwives, 52% (n=105). This supports the need for increased education on GDM, through social media, the internet, and community health professionals. By increasing awareness of GDM and implementing preventive strategies, it may be possible to reduce the prevalence of obesity and T2DM in Australia and Samoa.
妊娠期糖尿病（GDM）是一种妊娠期葡萄糖不耐受的诊断。当 GDM 发展时，儿童和母亲患 2 型糖尿病（T2DM）和肥胖的风险增加。预防 GDM 的发生可能有助于降低受影响母亲的孩子肥胖和 2 型糖尿病发病率。本研究的目的是确定澳大利亚和萨摩亚 12 岁和 51 岁女性对其子女肥胖和 T2DM 长期风险的认知水平。这是一项涉及 202 名女性的定量研究，来自澳大利亚和萨摩亚，于 2021 年 4 月至 2021 年 11 月期间进行，比较了发展中国家和发达国家之间的知识水平。在澳大利亚和萨摩亚，分别有 15%（n=16）和 34%（n=33）的女性意识到 GDM 对其子女的长期并发症。这些发现表明，对于 GDM 与女性 T2DM 风险和子女长期并发症相关的长期后果，知识不足。两国最大的信息来源是医生或助产士，占 52%（n=105）。这支持了通过社交媒体、互联网和社区卫生专业人员增加 GDM 教育的必要性。通过提高对 GDM 的认识并实施预防策略，可能有助于降低澳大利亚和萨摩亚的肥胖和 T2DM 患病率。
