Factors promoting diabetes self-care among low-income, minority pregnant women

J Perinatol. 2016 Jan;36(1):13-8. doi: 10.1038/jp.2015.134. Epub 2015 Oct 29.

Abstract

Objective: To prospectively identify factors promoting healthy self-management of gestational and type 2 diabetes mellitus among underserved pregnant women.

Study design: Twenty-nine in-depth, semi-structured interviews were performed over the course of pregnancy for 10 women with diabetes. Interviews on factors promoting diabetes self-management used cognitive load theory to frame questions. Qualitative analysis of longitudinal interview data applied grounded theory techniques to generate themes.

Result: Half this cohort of minority, low-income, public aid-supported women had type 2 diabetes. Four themes, comprised of both internal self-driven motivators and external sources of support, were identified. These themes were: (1) disease familiarity and diabetes self-efficacy; (2) external motivation (for health of fetus and responsibilities to older children); (3) supportive social and physical environment; and (4) self-regulatory behavior, including goal responsiveness and long-term goal-setting.

Conclusion: Low-income women used multiple internal and external resources to promote health during a pregnancy complicated by diabetes. Successful behavior modification and achievement of diabetes care goals require leveraging these resources.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / ethnology*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / ethnology*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Minority Groups
  • Motivation
  • Poverty
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / ethnology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Qualitative Research
  • Self Care / standards*
  • Social Support*