Gestational Diabetes (GDM) has a huge impact on the life expectancy rates as it poses a health threat to the pregnant women and their babies. Additionally GDM increases the future risk of developing diabetes in both. Maternal mortality in South Africa is 333 deaths per 100,000 live births.There is an increasing need for optimizing maternal health through educating, screening and treating for GDM.The goal of the project is to improve screening and management for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women in South Africa and collect evidence to enable the strengthening of existing guidelines for GDM screening in South Africa.
The project consists of five steps to improve screening and management for GDM.First step is to implement a GDM health literacy programme that creates awareness and improved understanding and acceptance of GDM screening.Second step is to provide data for GDM screening, guidelines and standard operating procedures.Third step is to evaluate current clinical care and management of GDM cases post-screening, and assess post-partum glucose metabolism in GDM cases.Fourth step is to collect neonatal delivery growth data and investigate associations with maternal pregnancy glucose metabolism.Fifth step is training and sensitising genital health professionals around GDM burden and screening protocols.Lastly all guidelines and protocols are provided to national South African Department of Health for more broad implementation.
- More than 3000 pregnant women screened - A 9,2% prevalence of GDM determined amongst Soweto women- Screening protocols & training material formulated- 200 antenatal nurses trained on GDM screening- GDM clinical management evaluated & strengthened