Effect of Counseling Program based on Health Literacy Model regarding Gestational Diabetes on Maternal and Fetal outcomes

Background: Gestational diabetes is associated with adverse maternal and fetal complications. Nurses have a significant role in counseling based on health literacy of women about proper lifestyle and health related skills in coping with gestational diabetes to prevent and reduce adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. Aim: Evaluate the effect of counseling program based on health literacy model regarding gestational diabetes on maternal and fetal outcomes. Subjects and Method: Design: A quasi-experimental one group pre-test, post-test design was used for this study. Setting: It was conducted at outpatient clinic at Obstetrics and Gynecological department in Benha University Hospitals. Subjects: A purposive sample of 171 pregnant women medically diagnosed with gestational diabetes was included in the study. Tools: Five tools were used for data collection: Tool (I) A structured interviewing questionnaire sheet, Tool (II) Diabetic Attitude Scale, Tool (III) Diabetic Self-Care Practices sheet, Tool (IV) Self-administered Health literacy questionnaire and Tool (IIV) Assessment of Maternal and fetal outcomes. Results: There were a high statistically significant correlation between knowledge, selfcare practices of the studied pregnant women and counseling based on health literacy model pre and immediately post program, and significant correlation between attitudes and counseling based on health literacy model pre and immediately post program, High statistically significant relation between self-care practices and pregnancy complication and neonatal complication, significant statistically relation between self-care practices and labor complications during follow up at time of delivery Conclusion: Counseling program based on health literacy model regarding gestational diabetes has a positive effect on women's knowledge ,attitudes and self-care practices with favorable maternal & fetal outcomes. Recommendations: Development of a training program and evidence based interventions to provide a better view of the women health literacy promotion strategies related to gestational diabetes.