Effect of Health Belief Model based Educational Package on Lifestyle among Gestational Diabetic Women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt

2 Lecturer of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with potentially harmful
effects on the mother and fetus. Thus the identification of GDM offers a chance to improve
pregnancy outcomes and identify women to target dietary & lifestyle health promotion. Aim of this
research was to evaluate effect of health belief model based educational package on lifestyle among
gestational diabetic women. Design: A quasi experimental design was utilized. Setting: This
research was conducted in obstetrics & gynecological outpatient clinic and maternity hospital (high
risk department) at the Zagazig University Hospital, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Sample: A
purposive sample of (62) randomly women. Tools: Data were collected through three main tools: A
self-administered questionnaire to assess women’s general characteristics and knowledge regarding
gestational diabetes mellitus, health belief model scale, and health promoting lifestyle Profile II.
Results: showed that there was a highly statistically significant difference regarding all knowledge
items and total of all items of health belief model before and after GDM educational package
implementation (P< 0.000). Moreover, there was a highly statistically significant difference in
relation to all items of women’s lifestyle regarding GDM (nutrition, physical activity, stress
management and health responsibility) before and after GDM educational package implementation
(P < 0.001). Conclusion: There was a positive statistically significant correlation between total
knowledge score, total lifestyle score and total health belief model score before and after GDM
educational package implementation (p<0.001). Recommendations: Establishing strategies to
enhance the women’s understanding of healthy lifestyle by applying this model to a large sample in
various obstetrics and gynecological outpatient clinics.

Keywords