Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme Regarding Gestational Diabetes in Terms of Knowledge among Antenatal Mothers in Selected Rural Areas of Gandhinagar District, Gujarat State

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasingly prevalent health issue that poses significant risks for both mothers and newborns if unrecognized or inadequately managed. Rural antenatal mothers often lack adequate awareness about GDM, leading to delayed diagnosis and complications. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a planned teaching programme regarding gestational diabetes in terms of knowledge among antenatal mothers in selected rural areas of Gandhinagar District, Gujarat. A pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was adopted. A total of 60 antenatal mothers were selected using purposive sampling. Data was collected through a structured knowledge questionnaire before and after the implementation of the planned teaching programme. The findings revealed that the mean post-test knowledge scores were significantly higher than the mean pre-test scores, indicating that the planned teaching programme was effective in enhancing the mothers’ understanding of the causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms, management, and prevention of GDM. The study highlights the crucial role of health education in improving awareness and promoting healthy pregnancy outcomes among rural antenatal mothers. It recommends that similar community-based teaching programmes be organized regularly to empower expectant mothers with essential knowledge, contributing to the early detection and better management of gestational diabetes in rural settings.