Prevalence and associated risk factors for gestational diabetes in Jos, North-central, Nigeria

The study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among antenatal women attending the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos, Nigeria.

A cross-sectional study was done between February and April 2009 among 265 pregnant women enrolled from the antenatal clinic of JUTH. Screening was done between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation with a 50 g, 1-h glucose challenge test (GCT). Those with plasma glucose concentration >7.8 mmol/l were then given 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to confirm the diagnosis of GDM. Plasma glucose measurements were performed with glucose oxidase method. GDM was diagnosed according to the WHO criteria. All relevant data including demographic information, obstetric history, and risk factors for GDM, GCT and OGTT results were collected and analyzed using Epi Info version 3.5.1, CDC, Atlanta, USA.

Of the 265 pregnant women enrolled, 253 subjects were eligible for screening out of which, 28 (11.1 %) had positive GCT >7.8 mmol/l. The prevalence of GDM was 8.3 % (21/253); 95 % CI 5.2-12.4. The pattern of glucose tolerance in the study population indicated that 232 (91.7 %) had normal glucose tolerance, 6.7 % had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) while 1.6 % had overt diabetes. Previous history of fetal macrosomia was independently associated with GDM (adjusted OR 11.1; 95 % CI 2.93-42.12, P = 0.0004).

The prevalence of GDM was relatively high among our antenatal population. Women with previous history of fetal macrosomia have a higher likelihood of having GDM and should be screened.