Effect of an Educational Intervention Program Based on Bandura's Self-efficacy Theory on Self-care, Self-efficacy, and Blood Sugar Levels in Mothers with Pre-diabetes during Pregnancy

Background: Sense of self-efficacy prepares an appropriate framework for self-care behaviors. Aim: This study aimed at investigating the effect of an educational intervention program based on Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory (SET) on self-care, self-efficacy, and blood sugar levels in mothers with pre-diabetes during pregnancy. Method: This randomized two-group clinical trial was conducted on 100 pregnant women with pre-diabetes in Shirvan, Iran, during 2018. The intervention group received educational training according to the constructs of Bandura’s SET. On the other hand, the control group was provided with routine care. The data were collected using Diabetes Self-Care Activities and the standardized and adjusted Diabetes Self-Efficacy Questionnaires, as well as an automatic biochemistry analyzer, and a blood glucose monitoring device. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) through paired sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The mean ages of the participants in the intervention and control groups were 28.9±7.1 and 29.3±6.2 years, respectively. According to the Mann-Whitney U test results, the intervention group obtained higher scores regarding self-care behaviors and sense of self-efficacy (41.8±13.5, 99.3±16.2), compared to the control group (22.8±5.0, 99.3±16.2, P˂0.001). The mean fasting blood sugar level in the intervention group (75.8±6.7) was significantly lower than that in the control group (85.4±9.7, P˂0.001). Implications for Practice: The promotion of self-care behaviors and self-efficacy strategies in mothers with pre-diabetes during pregnancy could prevent gestational diabetes and reduce the severity of its complications.