Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is a type of diabetes characterized by
impaired glucose tolerance, first discovered during pregnancy and can precipitate
several adverse effects for mother and fetus. Aim: To evaluate the effect of self-care
program guided by PRECEDE–PROCEED model on maternal and fetal outcomes
among gestational diabetic women. Design: A quasi-experimental research design
was followed. Setting: The study was carried out at Obstetrics and Gynecology
Outpatient Clinic of Benha University Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample
included 70 gestational diabetic women divided into 2 groups, and allocation ratio
was 1:1 (35 for each group). Tools of data collection: Four tools were used, a
structured interviewing questionnaire (General characteristics and previous and
current obstetrics history), health-related behaviors questionnaire, PRECEDE–
PROCEED model questionnaire (knowledge, attitude, enabling and reinforcing
factors) and maternal and fetal outcomes questionnaire. Results: A statistical
significant improvement in scores of total knowledge, attitude, health-related
behaviors, enabling and reinforcing factors regarding gestational diabetes for the
study group compared to the control group was found after implementation of
program (p <0.001). Also, a statistical significant high proportion of maternal and
fetal complications in the control group than in the study group was found.
Conclusion: The implementation of self-care program guided by PRECEDE–
PROCEED model had a positive impact on improving gestational diabetic women's
knowledge, attitude, health-related behaviors, enabling and reinforcing factors
regarding gestational diabetes and improved maternal and fetal outcomes.
Recommendations: An educational intervention guided by PRECEDE–PROCEED
should be conducted at postpartum period to help gestational diabetic women to adopt
healthy lifestyles during breastfeeding