Prevalence and Correlates of Postpartum Glucose Screening among Women with Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Background: Postpartum follow‑up of women with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) is key for early identification of impairment of glucose tolerance and preventing progression to diabetes mellitus(DM). Postpartum screening rates among Nigerian women are largely  unknown.

Aim: We examined the prevalence of postpartum glucose testing and its associated factors.

Patients, Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted between November 2017 and October 2019, involving  women who had been diagnosed with GDM at the Chemical Pathology Department of Jos University Teaching Hospital. Ninety-seven  women responded to follow-up phone calls to determine their postpartum care. Sociodemographic data and obstetric history were  obtained from hospital records.

Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 34.1 (4.9) years. Only 31 (31.9%)  women had glucose testing within six weeks postpartum, most of them (27.8%) by fasting blood glucose or random blood glucose. Forty  eight percent tested after six weeks postpartum, while 19 (19.6%) did not have any form of glucose testing after delivery. Postpartum  glucose testing was significantly associated with a history of DM or previous GDM and receiving counselling about postpartum testing  and higher diagnostic glucose values, P < 0.05. Age, educational status, gravidity, and filling of requisition form before delivery were not  associated with postpartum glucose testing, P > 0.05.

Conclusion: Early postpartum screening rate is generally poor but more common  among women with high diagnostic glucose levels who received appropriate counselling after diagnosis of GDM. Adequate sensitisation    of healthcare workers about postpartum care and proper counselling of women with GDM will improve screening rate.