Socioeconomic status and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women in Zunyi, China.

BACKGROUND

The impact of socioeconomic status on disease is becoming increasingly apparent. However, the relationship between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and socioeconomic status (SES) has been less studied and remains inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between SES and GDM.

METHODS

All participants were selected from a prospective study on maternal and infant health in Zunyi City, China, between 2020 and 2022. Data on educational attainment, occupation, and household income were collected through standard questionnaires administered during face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), evaluating the association between GDM and SES-a composite measure comprising educational attainment, occupational status, and household monthly income.

RESULTS

Among 5,868 participants, 690 women (11.8%) were diagnosed with GDM. After adjusting for potential confounders, no significant association was observed between educational attainment and GDM prevalence. Compared to public sector employees, women engaged in private sector occupations, freelancing, or farming exhibited a lower GDM risk. Household monthly income demonstrated a significant positive correlation with GDM incidence. Stratified analyses revealed distinct age-related patterns: higher education attainment was associated with reduced GDM risk in women aged >35 years, while occupational influences on GDM were more pronounced in this age group. Conversely, income effects were stronger among women aged ≤35 years. BMI stratification further indicated that occupational factors predominantly affected GDM risk in underweight women (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), whereas income exhibited stronger associations in women with BMI ≥18.5 kg/m2.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed a significant association SES and GDM development. Among household income and occupation emerged as stronger predictor of GDM to educational attainment in Zunyi City, Guizhou province, China.