The Relationship between Health Belief Model and Compliance with Therapeutic Regimen Among Diabetic Pregnant Women

Introduction: Pregnant women compliance to gestational diabetes militias (GDM) regimen playsa major role in improving their overall quality of life. However, as postulated by the HealthBelief Model a greater perception of risk is associated with a greater intention to adapt lifestyle,especially in terms of diet and physical activity. Aim of the study: to find out the relationshipbetween health belief model and compliance with therapeutic regimen among diabetic pregnantwomen. Materials & Method: Research design: A descriptive research design was utilized inthis study. Setting: This study was conducted in the outpatient clinic of antenatal unit at ElShatby Maternity Hospital. Subjects: Convenience samples of 130 pregnant women attendingthe previously mentioned setting were recruited in the study. Tools: three tools were used tocollect the necessary data, namely: Pregnant Women Basic Data Structured Interview Schedule,Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) & Gestational Diabetes Health BeliefModel Scale. Results: About two thirds (66.9%) of the study subjects were unsatisfactorycompliant with diabetic regimen. Meanwhile 33.1% of the study subjects were satisfactorycompliant with their regimen. A statistically significant correlation was noticed betweensubjects’ total score of compliance and their perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits andbarrier (p= 0.001, 0.020, 0.002, 0.000) respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded that levelof pregnant women compliance with gestational diabetes regimen was associated with somemodifying factors such as level of education, income, residence, parity, number of livingchildren, planned pregnancy, number of antenatal visits and onset of (GDM). Furthermore, levelof pregnant women compliance with GD regimen was associated with their perceivedsusceptibility, severity, benefits as well as barriers. Recommendation(S): To raise pregnant women awareness toward gestational diabetes including extent of the problem, risk factors,signs, complications, diagnosis through using preventive awareness campaigns and communitymobilization.