Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia

Dana K. Al-Harbi; Nouf Z. Alshammari; Kawthar H. Aljaafar; Maali A. Alanazi; Ashwaq I. Alanazi; Taif A. Alanazi; Elsadig Shiekedien

doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

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Original Article
Online Published: 16 Sep 2025

IJMDC. 2025; 9(8): 1760-1766

doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia

Dana K. Al-harbi, Nouf Z. Alshammari, Kawthar H. Aljaafar, Maali A. Alanazi, Ashwaq I. Alanazi, Taif A. Alanazi, Elsadig Shiekedien.

Abstract
Objective: This study zaimed to assess the awareness of Saudi women about gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Methods: A cross-sectional study using an observational design was carried out among 273 Saudi Arabian women in the northern region. A self-administered electronic questionnaire was sent out, comprising 17 items intended to gauge knowledge and cognizance regarding GDM, in addition to sociodemographic information. The questions evaluated participants’ knowledge of GDM by addressing risk factors, treatment choices, assessment methodologies, and implications of the condition.
Results: Forty-one (15.0%) women had a prior history of GDM. Regarding awareness of GDM, an overwhelming majority (86.4%) exhibited poor knowledge, 13.6% had moderate knowledge, and none demonstrated good knowledge. The mean awareness score was 6.33 ± 2.83 out of 19. Key gaps were identified in understanding risk factors, diagnosis timing, and postnatal screening. Women aged 26-35 years, those with obesity, those employed in the health sector, and those who knew someone with GDM showed significantly higher awareness levels (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The study revealed significant knowledge gaps about GDM among women in northern Saudi Arabia, particularly in diagnosis timing, risk factors, and postnatal screening. Younger women, those in the medical field, and those familiar with GDM showed higher awareness. To prevent complications, improving women’s knowledge through prenatal education, tailored campaigns, and digital platforms is essential.

Key words: Caudal regression syndrome, gestational diabetes mellitus, neural tube defects, Saudi Arabia, women’s health

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Pubmed Style

Al-harbi DK, Alshammari NZ, Aljaafar KH, Alanazi MA, Alanazi AI, Alanazi TA, Shiekedien E. Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. IJMDC. 2025; 9(8): 1760-1766. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

Web Style

Al-harbi DK, Alshammari NZ, Aljaafar KH, Alanazi MA, Alanazi AI, Alanazi TA, Shiekedien E. Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=269823 [Access: June 23, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Al-harbi DK, Alshammari NZ, Aljaafar KH, Alanazi MA, Alanazi AI, Alanazi TA, Shiekedien E. Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. IJMDC. 2025; 9(8): 1760-1766. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Al-harbi DK, Alshammari NZ, Aljaafar KH, Alanazi MA, Alanazi AI, Alanazi TA, Shiekedien E. Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. IJMDC. (2025), [cited June 23, 2026]; 9(8): 1760-1766. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

Harvard Style

Al-harbi, D. K., Alshammari, . N. Z., Aljaafar, . K. H., Alanazi, . M. A., Alanazi, . A. I., Alanazi, . T. A. & Shiekedien, . E. (2025) Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. IJMDC, 9 (8), 1760-1766. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

Turabian Style

Al-harbi, Dana K., Nouf Z. Alshammari, Kawthar H. Aljaafar, Maali A. Alanazi, Ashwaq I. Alanazi, Taif A. Alanazi, and Elsadig Shiekedien. 2025. Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 9 (8), 1760-1766. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

Chicago Style

Al-harbi, Dana K., Nouf Z. Alshammari, Kawthar H. Aljaafar, Maali A. Alanazi, Ashwaq I. Alanazi, Taif A. Alanazi, and Elsadig Shiekedien. "Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 9 (2025), 1760-1766. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Al-harbi, Dana K., Nouf Z. Alshammari, Kawthar H. Aljaafar, Maali A. Alanazi, Ashwaq I. Alanazi, Taif A. Alanazi, and Elsadig Shiekedien. "Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 9.8 (2025), 1760-1766. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Al-harbi, D. K., Alshammari, . N. Z., Aljaafar, . K. H., Alanazi, . M. A., Alanazi, . A. I., Alanazi, . T. A. & Shiekedien, . E. (2025) Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 9 (8), 1760-1766. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1751999233

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