The Relationship Between Underlying Factors with Adherence to Treatment in Women With Gestational Diabetes in Mashhad City

Adherence of diabetic patients to the recommended treatment regimens is one of the most important challenges in diabetes control. Dietary adherence is low in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Non-compliance can reduce the beneficial effects of treatment, symptoms and signs, increase complications or even death. Therefore, further research on the determinants of follow-up behaviors is essential.

This descriptive-analytical study on 260 women with gestational diabetes treated with diet referred to health centers and Imam Reza (AS), Ghaem and Umm Al-Banin Hospitals in Mashhad was performed by sampling of possible, multi-stage, class and cluster methods. Data were collected using a demographic and pregnancy profile questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire of adherence to treatment regimen. They were then analyzed by inferential statistical and regression tests and by SPSS software version 16.
Ethical considerations: This study was registered in the ethics code of IR.MUMS.NURSE.REC.1397.091 in the ethics committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

The results of regression showed that dietary adherence score, blood sugar monitoring score and exercise adherence score had a significant and positive effect on total treatment adherence score(P<0.001). The results also showed that education(P = 0.044), Unwantedness(P = 0.006) or unplanned pregnancy(P = 0.21) had a positive and significant effect on the overall score of treatment adherence. Women with a history of diabetes in first-degree relatives(P= 0.010) and women with a history of miscarriage(P = 0.021) Had a higher score of total treatment adherence.

Therefore, according to the present study, Some demographic and pregnancy characteristics can affect the rate of adherence to treatment regimen in women with gestational diabetes. Health care providers need to pay attention to the role of these factors in improving adherence to patientschr('39') treatment regimens.