Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards gestational diabetes mellitus among obstetric and gynaecological healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study of 68 hospitals in Hubei Province, China.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among obstetric and gynaecological healthcare workers in Hubei Province, China, and to identify factors associated with these domains.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Online questionnaire administered in December 2023.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 394 healthcare workers from 68 maternal and child health institutions across Hubei Province.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The questionnaire comprised 29 items covering four domains: demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices.

INTERVENTIONS: None.

RESULTS

The overall awareness rate of GDM knowledge was 58.88%. The mean knowledge score was 5.60±2.23 (range: 0-12). The mean attitude score was 18.66±1.97 (range: 0-20), with 55.08% of participants reporting a positive attitude. The mean practice score was 19.26±2.40 (range: 0-21), with 58.63% reporting good practices. Knowledge scores were positively correlated with practice scores (rs=0.130, p=0.009), and a stronger correlation was observed between attitudes and practices (rs=0.393, p<0.001). Logistic regression showed that higher knowledge scores (OR=1.13; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.24; p=0.009) and higher attitude scores (OR=1.46; 95% CI 1.29 to 1.65; p<0.001) were significantly associated with good practices. Multivariable regression further demonstrated that positive attitudes were independently associated with good practices (adjusted OR=1.44; 95% CI 1.27 to 1.64; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Obstetric and gynaecological healthcare workers in Hubei Province exhibited limited knowledge but generally positive attitudes and good practices regarding GDM management. Targeted educational strategies are warranted to address knowledge gaps, particularly concerning the role of early pregnancy serum ferritin in GDM risk, and to strengthen support for younger and less experienced healthcare workers.