Exploring women's preferences for diabetes prevention programs after gestational diabetes: A qualitative descriptive...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Preventive Medicine
• Women's Health

Background:

• Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses significant risks for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in women.
• Postpartum diabetes prevention programs (DPPs) are crucial for managing GDM-related T2D risk.
• A novel postpartum DPP has been successfully piloted and is being prepared for multi-centre implementation in Ontario, Canada.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perspectives and preferences of women with GDM regarding postpartum DPPs.
• To inform refinements of the DPP based on user feedback.
• To guide the design of an effective implementation strategy for the DPP.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study utilizing semi-structured interviews.
• Directed content analysis to analyze interview data.
• Mapping findings to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation - Behavior (COM-B) Model.

Main Results:

• Identified three key findings aligned with the COM-B Model: Capability (physical and psychological), Opportunity (physical and social), and Motivation (reflexive and automatic).
• Capability findings highlight the balance between ability and emotional impact of behavior change.
• Opportunity findings emphasize physical limitations and the value of social support within a community of new mothers.
• Motivation findings reveal the importance of understanding reasons for diabetes avoidance and the link between lifestyle factors and well-being.

Conclusions:

• Women with GDM actively seek postpartum DPP support tailored to their specific needs.
• Optimizing DPP uptake and engagement requires a personalized approach considering the unique capabilities, opportunities, and motivations of new mothers.