The project seeks to create awareness among the public - in particular women's groups - on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to build capacity in the health care system to prevent, manage and control the problem.
Expected Impact
An estimated 2,450 health care staff, including doctors, nurses, dieticians and extension educators will be trained directly or indirectly on symptoms, treatment and preventive/control measures
Automatic screening for gestational diabetes among pregnant women will become institutionalised in the target areas
An estimated 400 women with gestational diabetes will be treated and taught how to prevent subsequent type 2 diabetes for themselves as well as their families
2100 women at risk of gestational diabetes will be taught how to prevent subsequent diabetes for themselves as well as their families
Results to date
A total of 12,056 have been screened for gestational diabetes, diagnosing 1,679 women (13.9%). In the rural area of Tiruvallur the prevalence rate was 9.9%; in the semi-urban district of Saidapet Taluk it was 13.8% and in urban Chennai it was 17.8%.
All 1,679 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes were treated with meal plan to maintain their target blood glucose levels. They were periodically followed up every month and those women who did not achieve control with meal plan alone, were advised insulin.
Among 8,731 women who were followed up upon, the incidence of birth weight abnormalities was reduced significantly in comparison to the National Health Survey (19% macrosomic babies nationally compared to 7% among the women in the project).
In March 2007, the Tamil Nadu Government issued an order making screening for gestational diabetes during pregnancy mandatory.
Awareness has been created among the public, particularly women groups, medical, para medical, non-medical and public health professionals on the implications of abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy and about the preventive and control measures to be followed.
Health care personnel has been involved in maternal and child health care in the diagnostic procedures of screening, diagnosis and proper management of gestational diabetes using appropriate simple cost effective techniques.
A surveillance system has been established by estimating the prevalence of gestational diabetes in the project area and establishing a registry to determine the incidence rate of gestational diabetes among pregnant mothers.
Public health staff has been trained to communicate and disseminate preventive behavioral lifestyle changes to the target population and community at large.
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