Objective: To compare the experiences of women with gestational diabetes
mellitus (GDM) from different culturally and linguistically diverse
(CALD) backgrounds. Design: Mixed method study. Setting: Australia.
Sample: 37 Australian-born and 43 women from CALD background diagnosed
with GDM. Methods: Items from the questionnaire were derived from the
Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), Culturally Based
Communication about Health, Eating, and Food (CHEF), and Medical Social
Self-efficacy (MSSES) scale. Semi-structured interviews were conducted
to investigate participants’ experience with diagnosis and management of
GDM. Main Outcome Measures: Factors affecting the experience of managing
GDM. Results: Compared to Australian-born women, women from CALD
backgrounds perceived healthcare professionals to have poorer knowledge
of their cultural foods (P<0.001) and had less confidence in
seeking medical information (P<0.006). 20 women 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: Our study supports 5 dimensions of
patient-centred care: emotional support, continuity and transition,
involvement of friends and family, information and education, and access
to care. Implementing models of care with these areas addressed will
enhance the experience of GDM for women from all ethnic backgrounds.
Funding: This study did not receive any funding. Keywords: Diabetes,
gestational; Pregnancy; Prenatal care; Ethnic groups
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