Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common metabolic disease and creates dangerous complications such as blindness, amputation, kidney failure and cardiovascular disease. For the first time, gestational diabetes during pregnancy is diagnosed as impaired glucose tolerance. On the other hand, there is a mutual relationship between diabetes and quality of life. One of the important patterns which is based on individuals’ abilities and their needs for self-care is Orem Self Care Model. Therefore, this study aimed to determine effect of self-care education program based on Orem Self Care Model on quality of life in women with gestational diabetes. Materials and Methods: This before and after quasi-experimental study was conducted on 42 patients with gestational diabetes. Data collection instruments are included demographic questionnaire and Short-from 36-item health survey in order to determine quality of life. Before the intervention, questionnaires were distributed between the samples and immediately after the completion they were collected. Then self-care educational program based on "Orem Self Care Model" was implemented during 8 weeks. After the last training session, again the quality of life questionnaire was completed by patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software and paired t-test. Findings: Before the intervention, mean score of quality of life was 20.04 ± 5.13, but it reached to 14.47 ± 16.43 after intervention. It can be said after participating in training sessions, the samples experienced high level of quality of life. Comparison of mean score of quality of life before and after the educational intervention showed statistically significant difference (P = 0.01). Discussion and Conclusion: Results showed that using self-care training based on Orem Self Care Model for patients with gestational diabetes increases mean functioning in all aspects of life in these people. If self-care program based on self-care needs of patients continues and it is designed appropriate to their perception level, it can lead to achievement of positive outcomes in health functioning of these individuals and help promoting their health.
