Integrating gestational diabetes services in antenatal care in Sierra Leone

Objectives

Promote integration of GDM screening services in urban and rural contexts.
Increase adoption of preventive attitudes and practices among pregnant women and communities in the catchment areas of the two targeted hospitals.
Support national authorities in integrating GDM prevention, screening and management in government policies and strategies for NCDs.

Approach

CUAMM will support the MoH in integrating GDM management. The application of the protocol for diabetes screening will be further enhanced at the referral maternity hospital in Freetown and will be activated in Pujehun Hospital (rural district). The positive cases will be part of a ‘follow-up system’ that will ensure quality care during and after the pregnancy. Collection of data will be useful to analyse the national prevalence of GDM. Capacity building of the health care personnel is expected to contribute to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment. CUAMM will also carry out a research to have an overview of the nutritional habits of the population and make comparisons between urban and rural areas.

Implementation of the diabetes screening protocol in antenatal care.
Training of health care personnel on GDM screening/treatment, nutrition and data collection.
Supervision and training on the job on GDM.
Follow-up/care of GDM positive patients during antenatal care and postnatal care.
Supervision on data collection and set up of a dedicated database for gestational diabetes.
Support for the creation of a Technical Working Group on diabetes within the MoH.
Development of a research study regarding nutritional habits in Sierra Leone.
Development and distribution of IEC materials on GDM/DM and promotion of a healthy lifestyle/diet.
Realisation of an awareness raising campaign on prevention of GDM/DM and access to services in the catchment areas of the targeted facilities.
Organisation of ‘health talks’ during ANC visits at the targeted health units.

Results at completion

17,627 screened for GDM
73 health care personnel trained and supervised at Princess Christian Maternity Hospital and Pujehun Hospital, and at 10 Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Clinics
1 video on promotion of healthy habits developed
Weekly health talks were given to pregnant women while waiting for ANC services, at follow-up visits, and during cooking demonstrations
14 cooking demonstrations carried out
21 radio discussions carried out
27,100 women reached through awareness activities
National protocol on GDM management finalized
Research on eating habits, physical exercise and healthy lifestyle conducted
Research on capillary and venous blood sampling for HIP identification conducted
National NCD Technical Working Group established