Perception of factors influencing preventive behaviours for the recurrence of gestational diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes during subsequent pregnancies: A qualitative study.

AIMS: To explore the perspectives of pregnant women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on factors influencing preventive behaviours for GDM recurrence.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 30 pregnant women with a history of GDM. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

This study identified four major themes and 19 sub-themes related to the prevention behaviors of GDM recurrence. These themes are as follows: Knowledge and Belief Levels include previous successful management experience, knowledge of recurrence prevention, awareness of the importance of GDM recurrence prevention, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and risk perception. Self-Regulation Skills and Abilities encompass goal setting, goal reconstruction, planning, self-monitoring, self-reflection, self-evaluation, positive emotion adjustment, and self-control. Social Environment involves social influence and social support. Accessibility of Personal Conditions includes physical health status, concurrent priorities, and physical environment accessibility.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings highlight that the level of knowledge on GDM recurrence prevention, self-regulation ability, social support and accessibility of individual conditions are important influencing factors for women with a history of GDM to prevent GDM recurrence.