title: Attitudes towards preconception care in Maltese women with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness related to preconception care among Maltese women of reproductive age with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven T1DM women, aged 12-30 years, were self-administered a questionnaire related to diabetes self-management and preconception care. The participants then underwent an educational intervention and re-took the same questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before the intervention, 26 participants (70%) claimed they did not have any knowledge about the preconception care of diabetes. Of the remaining 11 participants, the main reported source of information about diabetes care was the diabetologist (n = 8; 6.7%). The response rate was 70% (26 out of 37 participants completed the questionnaire after the educational intervention). Six of the participants who initially reported no preconception care knowledge claimed an increased awareness after the event. There was a statistically significant increase in the knowledge scores after the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is evident that there is a lack of awareness of the importance of pre-pregnancy planning to avoid pregnancy-related complications with diabetes. This emphasizes the need for more education and it is imperative for healthcare professionals to address these issues with adolescent female patients.
authors: Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta Medical School, Malta.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Sapiano
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Savona-Ventura
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Calleja-Agius
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Serracino-Inglott
authors: Lilian M
authors: LM
authors: Azzopardi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D008319:Malta; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016742:Preconception Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult