Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Indigenous Population in Asia: A Systematic Review Protocol

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus poses significant health risks, particularly among indigenous populations in Asia, where its prevalence and associated factors remain underexplored. Objective: This systematic review aims to determine the prevalence of GDM, identify risk factors, and assess maternal and perinatal outcomes among indigenous populations in Asia. Materials and Methods: The review will follow PRISMA-P guidelines, screening studies published in English over the last 20 years (2004-2024) from multiple databases, involving PubMed, Embase, Ebsco, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, Shodhganga, and Google Scholar. Independent reviewers will extract data on study characteristics, prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes, with a narrative synthesis presented and a meta-analysis conducted if sufficient data is available. Expected Outcomes: The review is expected to provide valuable insights into the prevalence and risk factors of GDM, informing targeted prevention and management strategies to enhance maternal and perinatal health in indigenous communities across Asia.