Improving the experience of women with gestational diabetes from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: a qualitative study — ASN Events
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Improving the experience of women with gestational diabetes from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: a qualitative study (#59)

Ray Lau 1 , Jonathan Dong 2 , Tessa Weir 1 3 , Meenakshi Chopra 4 , Lyn Olivetti 5 , Gregory Fulcher 6 , Sarah Glastras 6
  1. The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW , Australia
  2. The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
  3. Specialists on Derby, Kingswood, NSW , Australia
  4. Integrated Digital Enablement Accelerator (IDEA) Team, NSW Ministry of Health, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
  5. Department of physiotherapy, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
  6. Diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia

Objective: This study aimed to compare the experiences of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) from different culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds regarding their responses to the diagnosis of GDM, their experiences in managing GDM, and their experiences with healthcare services.

Methods: The interviews were semi-structured, one-on-one, and in-person conducted by a trained female volunteer. Through open-ended questions, participants were asked to describe their experiences with their diagnosis and management of GDM, as well as their experiences with the healthcare services they received. The interviews were audio-recorded and then transcribed into text. The transcripts were analysed via thematic analysis.

Results: 30 women (7 Australian-born, 11 Chinese, 8 Indians, and 4 Koreans) partook the semi-structured interviews and 5 themes were identified: (1) Reaction to diagnosis; (2) Management issues; (3) Roles of friends and family; (4) Information access; and (5) Experience with healthcare services. The lack of culturally tailored dietary information, social support and language barriers were the main factors underpinning the differences in GDM experiences among women from CALD backgrounds versus Australian-born.

Conclusions: Healthcare models should provide more emotional support upon diagnosis, culturally tailored guidelines for lifestyle modifications, and involve friends and family in care and management to enhance the experience of GDM for women from all ethnic backgrounds.

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