Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences
Volume 23, No. 1, 2025
DOI: 10.36108/ijss/5202.32.0140
Help and Health Seeking Behaviour of Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Northern- Nigeria
Khadijah B. Ayoade-Suleiman1 and Kabiru K. Salami2
1,2Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
This study examined the help and health-seeking behaviour of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Parsons’ Social Action Theory and Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour anchored the study. Using purposive sampling, a sample of 204 pregnant women with GDM was drawn from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nassarawa Hospital, and Hassan and Hussein Hospital. Two women with GDM from each of the three hospitals and a pregnant woman from a traditional birth home were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. Key informant interviews were conducted with six healthcare professionals, one traditional birth attendant, and two religious leaders. The quantitative data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics at P<0.05, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. Age (β = 0.227) and income (β = 0.198) predicted pregnant women’s help and health seeking behaviour with GDM. Advice given on treatment by significant others and friends also predicted their health-seeking behaviour (β = 0.152). Most respondents (71.6%) followed the treatment pattern at the antenatal care. Age, income, family and friends influenced the help and health seeking behaviour of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Northern Nigeria. All levels of government should intensify public awareness of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.
Keywords: Health seeking behaviour. pregnant women, social determinant, GDM, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus