Perceptions of Pregnant Women with Diabetes Mellitus Regarding the Influence of Environmental Factors on Disease Management: A Qualitative Study

Título

Introdução

Glycemic control during pregnancy presents a major challenge for pregnant women and is influenced by social, emotional, and environmental factors. Among these, environmental aspects, particularly climatic variations, stand out, as they can impact physical well-being and interfere with non-pharmacological treatment strategies such as diet and blood glucose monitoring.

Objetivo

To understand the perceptions of pregnant women with diabetes mellitus regarding the influence of environmental factors on disease management.

Método

This descriptive qualitative study was conducted at a public outpatient clinic specializing in endocrinology in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, and was approved by the Institutional Research Ethics Committee (approval number 6.675.970). The sample consisted of sixteen pregnant women receiving care at the clinic. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in May and June 2025. The interview guide included sociodemographic and obstetric information, along with open-ended questions aligned with the study objective.

Resultados

Most participants were aged 30–39 years (43.8%), self-identified as mixed race (75.0%), and lived in the state capital (93.8%). The majority were in the third trimester of pregnancy and had type 2 diabetes (56.3%). The participants reported that climate change affected self-care in the context of diabetes management. Abrupt temperature variations were described as aggravating physical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and thermal discomfort, which hindered adherence to recommended self-care practices such as proper hydration, glucose monitoring, and correct use of prescribed medications. During the interviews, participants initially struggled to associate environmental factors with diabetes, stating they had never been informed of this relationship by health professionals. However, as they reflected during the interviews, they began to recognize the influence of environmental conditions in their daily routines.

Conclusão

The perceptions of pregnant women revealed that environmental factors, especially climatic variations, significantly interfere with disease management. The link between environmental conditions and diabetes emerged through reflection during the interviews. These findings highlight the need to include this topic in prenatal guidance and care practices.

Palavras Chave

Diabetes Mellitus; Public Health; Pregnancy