preprint · medRxiv
Gestational diabetes contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality, with a notable proportion of affected women progressing to type 2 diabetes. In Tanzania, systematic evidence concerning the drivers of postpartum hyperglycemia has been limited. A cross-sectional study of 392 women attending three postnatal clinics across Dar es Salaam evaluated nutritional and lifestyle influences on blood sugar levels. Overall, postpartum hyperglycemia was identified in 18.6 percent of the participants. Higher body mass index, representing overweight and obesity, alongside a diet high in refined carbohydrates, was linked to an increased prevalence of elevated blood glucose. Conversely, consumption of a diet rich in vegetables and legumes demonstrated a protective effect. These findings indicate that postpartum glucose levels are heavily influenced by modifiable dietary and lifestyle habits, underscoring the potential value of targeted maternal nutrition education during the peripartum stage.
Elevated blood sugar after pregnancy poses serious health risks, often leading directly to type 2 diabetes. Demonstrating that nearly one in five postnatal women in Dar es Salaam experiences hyperglycemia highlights an urgent maternal health challenge. Because these risks correlate directly with diet and body weight, health services can implement preventative dietary guidance and lifestyle support to safeguard long-term maternal wellbeing.
This research provides observational evidence that could inform maternal wellness programmes, dietary intervention apps, or clinical nutritional guidelines for healthcare providers and public health agencies. However, as an observational cross-sectional study, it remains at an early, foundational stage, and the abstract does not indicate any direct product development or commercialisation pathway.
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Abstract Background The prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Tanzania is raising paralleling its contribution to maternal morbidity and mortality. Studies have reported a prevalence of postpartum hyperglycemia in Africa to be 15% with 48% of the women progressing to T2DM five years postpartum. Carbohydrate dense diet has been correlated with glucose intolerance in most pregnant women. However, evidence is scarce and not systematic on factors associated with post-partum hyperglycemia in Tanzania. This study assessed nutritional and lifestyle factors associated with postpartum hyperglycemia among women attending postnatal clinics in Dar es salaam. Methods We conducted an analytical, hospital based cross-sectional study in postnatal clinics based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A multistage simple random sampling method was used to determine the three health centers and recruit women attending postnatal clinic from April to June 2025. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data, descriptive statistics was done using mean, proportion and chi-square test. We employed a univariable and multivariable modified poisson regression analysis to determine the association of independent variables with postpartum hyperglycemia. The p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We enrolled 392 postpartum women, from Sinza health center (HC) (48%), Magomeni HC (28.3%) and Kinyerezi HC (23.7%) with the mean age of 31.52 (±7.54). Postpartum hyperglycemia was prevalent among 18.6% of the women. The prevalence of postpartum hyperglycemia was higher among women with higher BMI (overweight and obese) (APR= 8.1, p<0.001, 11.6, p<0.001) respectively, and those with refined carbohydrate dietary pattern (APR= 1.54, p=0.022), while diet rich in legumes and vegetables was protective against postpartum hyperglycemia (APR= 0.69, p=0.001), after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion About one in five postpartum women had hyperglycemia and it is linked to modifiable nutritional and dietary factors. These include overweight, obesity and consumption of refined carbohydrate, while protein and legumes were protective factors. Attention should be put to prioritizing nutrition education and promotion of healthy lifestyle during peripartum period to ensure optimal glucose control in the postpartum period.
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DOI: 10.1101/2025.10.14.25338023
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