The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61448

Windsor W. Sherrill, PhD¹, Rachel M. Mayo, PhD¹, Veronica Parker, PhD², and Linda Crew, RN, MBA³. (1) Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 524 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, 864-656-0263, wsherri@clemson.edu, (2) School of Nursing, Clemson University, 528 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, (3) Joseph F. Sullivan Center, Clemson University, 101 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC 29634

Diabetes is a growing public health problem in the United States. Programs such as the South Carolina March of Dimes Diabetes Awareness Campaign aid in identifying individuals at risk and decreasing the incidence of this disease among pregnant women. The purpose of this program was to screen women of childbearing age for diabetes risk. 427 women were screened. Mean age for the sample was 25.5, and most participants were between 20 and 30 years of age. Forty five percent of participants were African American, and twelve percent of the women were pregnant at the time of the program. Twenty four percent were overweight, and 40 percent of participants were considered obese. Diabetes risk scores were calculated for participants in the program. Fifty-eight percent of the women had scores that were in the high-risk category for diabetes. Glucose levels were assessed for participants in the high BMI categories. As expected, overweight and obese women were more likely to have a high-risk score for diabetes. Forty percent of the sample was classified as obese to extremely obese, and all of these women scored in the high-risk group for diabetes. Diabetes risk score and race were not associated statistically, although more African American women were likely to be in the overweight categories. There were significant positive associations between age and risk score, and between BMI and risk score. While the associations between obesity and diabetes are not new, this study is among the first targeting rural women of reproductive years. Effective screening strategies among this population are presented as well as appropriate follow-up intervention methodologies. The potential to impact women prior to conception with diabetes education and risk reduction is discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn about an innovative program to screen and identify diabetes risk among pregnant women.
• Participants will learn effective tools for screening programs targetting rural populations
• Session will present associations between diabetes risk and factors such as weight, age, and race.

Keywords: Diabetes, Maternal Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.