Relationship between Health Locus of Control and Treatment Adherence in Women with Gestational Diabetes

Dietary adherence is a major challenge in management of diabetes and is usually lower in women with gestational diabetes. One of the main factors in following medical instructions is the health locus of control.

This descriptive and analytic study was performed in women with gestational diabetes and dietary modifications attending health centers and hospitals in Mashhad, Iran 2019. The participants (n= 260) were selected via multi-stage sampling. Demographic characteristics and reproductive information were obtained and form C of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC-C) and a researcher-made questionnaire containing questions about adherence to treatment were administered. Data were analyzed applying Mann-Whitney U Test.

The scores for dietary adherence (P<0.001), blood sugar monitoring (P=0.003), sports adherence (P<0.001), and the total score for dietary adherence (P<0.001) were significantly higher in women with internal locus of control than those with external locus of control.

According to this study, internal locus of control plays an important role in adherence to treatment regimen so, individual health behaviors should receive more emphasis in management of women with gestational diabetes.