Magnitude of gestational diabetes mellitus and associated factors among pregnant women living with HIV in Dar es salaam region, Tanzania.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Evidence suggests a link between non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and HIV. People living with HIV(PLHIV) are at higher risk of metabolic syndrome including Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Studies showing a magnitude of GDM in PLHIV are limited in Tanzania. Objective The study was set to determine the magnitude of GDM among pregnant women living with HIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and to find out its associated factors Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dar es salaam’s three regional referral hospitals and a national hospital. Participants were pregnant women living with HIV at their 24th to 28th gestation age. Questionnaire was used to collect data and other anthropometric measurements were taken using various tools. GDM was the outcome variable, also analysis was conducted using both descriptive and logistic regression methods. Results GDM prevalent was 5.6% among 426 study participants. Women with overweight were almost ten times more likely of having GDM compared to women with normal nutritional status (AOR:9.81 95% CI 2.64-36.40, P=0.001). Women on their third pregnancy were five times more at risk of having GDM as compared to primigravida (AOR:5.66,95% CI 1.11-28.80 p=0.037). Women with high level of physical activities were 93% less likely to have GDM compared to those with low level of physical activities (AOR:0.07,95% CI 0.01-0.77 p=0.031). Those working in sales and services were 95% less likely to have GDM as compared to those working as professionals (AOR:0.53, 95% CI 0.01-0.25 p<0.001). Manual labour (AOR:0.04,95% CI 0.01-0.22p=0.001), and other jobs (AOR:0.06,95% CI 0.01-0.34 p=0.002) were also significant risk factors for GDM. Conclusion The prevalence of GDM among respondents was found to be 5.6%. Overweight, multi-parity, level of physical activities as well as nature of work were found to be associated with GDM. Recommendations Addressing the burden of GDM among pregnant women living with HIV calls for more streamlined efforts targeting interventions such as physical activities programs along the PMTCT services. Effort should target all women presenting at the facilities during ANC visits.