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, PE�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, PE�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.