BACKGROUND
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder in pregnancy, and has become an increasing major global public health concern because of its adverse implications for the mother and fetal health.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for GDM in rural areas of Vietnam.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1003 pregnant women, aged ≥18 years in rural areas of Northern Vietnam. GDM was identified as an impaired oral glucose tolerance test based on the guidelines of the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups.
RESULTS
The prevalence of GDM was 26.2%. patients with GDM were more likely to be older than control group with odds ratio (OR) = 3.33, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)= [2.31 – 4.78]. Women with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 were twice as likely to develop gestational diabetes (OR = 2.15, 95%CI = [1.13 – 4.10]). The family history of diabetes increased threefold the risk of GDM (OR = 3.28, 95%CI = [1.18 – 9.12]). In addition, in vitro fertilization and use of endocrine medicine also increased twice the risk of GDM (OR = 2.71, 95%CI = [1.69 – 4.36] and OR = 2.11, 95%CI = [1.53 – 2.91], respectively). After adjusting for variables, multivariate analysis identified two significant risk factors of GDM, including aged over 35 years (aOR = 3.29, 95% CI = [2.28 – 4.73]), and pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 25 (aOR = 2.01, 95% CI = [1.04-3.90]).
CONCLUSIONS
We found a high prevalence of GDM among pregnant women in rural area of Vietnam. Interventions such as lifestyle changes, exercise and diet are needed to reduce the risk of GDM in older and obese pregnancy women.