Health literacy among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus, its associated factors and its association with glycaemic control in Mukim Kuala Kuantan 1, Pahang

• Main Authors: Abdullah, Fa’iza, Yusoff, Yuhin Asadulhaq, Rusli, Mohammad Farhan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University Kebangsaan Malaysia 2024
• Subjects: RA Public aspects of medicine; RA644.3 Chronic and Noninfectious Diseases and Public Health
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/116580/1/116580_Health%20literacy%20among%20pregnant%20women%20with%20gestational%20diabetes%20mellitus.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/116580/; https://medicineandhealthukm.com/toc/19/5%20%28suppl%29; https://doi.org/10.17576/MH.2024.s1905

Introduction: The high prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Malaysia is a growing concern as it poses risks to mother and fetus. Limited health literacy among pregnant women with GDM may lead to poor glycaemic control and subsequently GDM complications. Currently, health literacy studies among vulnerable groups in Malaysia, including pregnant women with GDM, are limited. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of limited health literacy among pregnant women with GDM, its associated factors, and its association with glycaemic control. Materials and method: This crosssectional study was conducted from January 2023 until June 2023. The study population consisted of pregnant women with GDM who sought antenatal care at government maternity clinics in Mukim Kuala Kuantan 1, Kuantan, Pahang. Respondents were selected using simple random sampling. Health literacy was measured using a validated questionnaire, HLS-M-Q18. The two most recent BSP readings were taken from the maternal health record, and poor glycaemic control was defined by 60% of the readings that fell below the target values. Results: 25% (n = 50) out of 200 pregnant women with GDM that participated in the study had limited health literacy and there was a significant association between education level and level of health literacy. Binary logistic regression revealed that having tertiary education had 9.8% lower chance of having limited health literacy (OR: 0.098, 95% CI 0.044-0.222), and having limited health literacy had 19 times more chance of having poor glycaemic control (OR: 19.333, 95% CI 7.246-51.585). Conclusion: This study demonstrated significant association between level of health literacy and glycaemic control. Awareness programmes to improve level of health literacy among pregnant women with GDM most likely will improve glycaemic control and reduce the risk of GDM complications. More extensive studies that involve a broader demographic range in Malaysia are necessary to support these findings.