Prevalence and risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus in a population of pregnant women attending three health facilities in Limbe, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: There are few studies regarding GDM in the South West Region of Cameroon. We aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of GDM in three health facilities in the Limbe health district, Cameroon. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried in one secondary and two primary healthcare facilities in Limbe, Cameroon during the period 1st November 2016 to 31st January 2017. We administered a pretested questionnaire on 200 consenting pregnant women at 24 – 28 weeks’ gestation. We carried out a 2-hr oral glucose tolerance test after fasting overnight. GDM was diagnosed when ≥1 plasma glucose (PG) test result was abnormal according to the IADPSG criteria (FPG≥92mg/dL, PG 1-hr 180mg/L, PG 2-hr 153mg/dL). Data analysis was with Epi-Info™ version 3.5.4. Associations were analyzed with the Pearson’s chi squared and Fischer’s exact test where appropriate. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of GDM was 20.5% and respondents’ mean age was 27.8 (SD 5.7) years. Majority, 13.5% participants had abnormal FPG alone, while 3.5% had any two abnormal values. GDM was associated with: advanced maternal age (OR 3.4: 95% CI 1.7-7.0; P < 0.001), BMI≥30 kg/m2 (OR 6.2: 95% CI 2.9-13.1, P < 0.001), past history of unexplained stillbirth (OR 5.7:95% CI 2.5-12.9, P < 0.001) and history of macrosomia (OR 8.5:95% CI 3.8-19, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: With the high prevalence of GDM, identification of its associated factors has the potential to be a target of intervention to prevent poor obstetrical outcomes.