[Acceptance and subjective evaluation of intensive insulin therapy and an educational program by pregnant women with insulin dependent diabetes]

Abstract

The study was carried out in 71 IDDM female diabetics: 51 pregnant women aged 28.6 +/- 3.6 yrs, and 20 IDDM female patients aged 26 +/- 5 yrs. All women had been treated with intensified insulin therapy and continuous self-monitoring. All the patients participated in the five day educational programme at the beginning of therapy. The patients were requested to fill in a multiple-choice test questionnaire with questions about their knowledge of the practical aspects of diabetes, effectiveness of the educational programme, difficulties and acceptance of management. The diabetic pregnant women gave subjective estimations of the development of their children. Mean ratio of correct answers to 7 questions estimating the level of knowledge of diabetes was in diabetic pregnant patients 70% which was higher than in other IDDM female patients. 27% IDDM pregnant women estimated the course as very difficult. The main causes of difficulties in management in the investigated patients were self-estimating control of diabetes, dietary programme, frequent selfmonitoring. The majority of diabetic pregnant women (82%) and all IDDM females could and did accept the whole management programme. In conclusion the general aspects of management were accepted both by diabetic pregnant and non-pregnant women. The major difficulties were realisation of dietetic management and often estimations of glycemia during selfmonitoring of diabetes. The short, five-day educational course is beneficial in the IDDM management.