Perceived Susceptibility and Preventive Self-Efficacy toward Type 2 Diabetes among mothers after Gestational Diabetes

Women with prior Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) face a significantly higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Awareness of susceptibility and confidence in preventive practices are key to reducing this risk.

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 160 postnatal mothers with a history of GDM at a tertiary care hospital in Thiruvanathapuram. Data were collected using structured tools assessing perceived susceptibility and preventive self-efficacy.

More than half of participants reported average perceived susceptibility (56.9%), while 43.1% demonstrated moderate self-efficacy. Significant associations were found with education, occupation, economic status, BMI, treatment received, and family history of diabetes (12–14). A strong positive correlation was observed between susceptibility and self-efficacy (r=0.870, p=0.01).

Findings highlight the importance of postpartum education and tailored interventions to improve both awareness and confidence in adopting preventive behaviors against T2DM.