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Barriers to postpartum follow-up of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus and its implications: a mixed method study

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International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Correction to this article was published on 22 July 2021

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Abstract

Aims

To explore the barriers that reduce postpartum follow-up of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Settings and design

This is a mixed method study with a qualitative study followed by a detailed narrative review conducted in Karnataka. The subjects were selected from Dr. T M A Pai Rotary Hospital, Karkala.

Methods and material

A total of 6 in-depth interviews were conducted out of 9 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The contact number of the patients was obtained and they were contacted over the phone. Interviews were conducted at a place and time of the women’s choice.

Narrative review

Thematic analysis approach was used for analysis. The codes were formed from the transcripts and then categories were formed. A narrative review was also conducted to explore the existing evidence on the topic. In total, 62 articles were reviewed including various types of studies.

Results

The key findings are categorized in general as barriers, then subthemes were formed. The most common barriers were lack of prior appointment for mothers, lack of adequate hospital facilities, baby and concerns, priority and lack of knowledge or health education.

Conclusions

The overall study findings reveal that healthcare facilities must be strengthened to avoid long waiting time and overcrowding to improve the screening after delivery. Educating the women regarding the need for dietary restrictions and exercise and giving priority to their own health as well as reminder systems is necessary to ensure the postpartum follow-up.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, 576104, India

    Ninu P. Mathew, Arathi P. Rao & Prakash Narayanan

Authors
  1. Ninu P. Mathew
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  2. Arathi P. Rao
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  3. Prakash Narayanan
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Ninu P Mathew. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Ninu P Mathew and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Each author has contributed to the following areas of the study.

Conceptualization: Dr. P Arathi Rao, Ninu P Mathew, Dr. Prakash Narayanan

Methodology: Dr. Arathi Rao, Ninu P Mathew, Dr. Prakash Narayanan

Formal analysis and investigation: Ninu P Mathew

Writing - original draft preparation: Ninu P Mathew

Writing - review and editing: Dr. Arathi Rao, Ninu P Mathew, Dr. Prakash Narayanan

Funding acquisition: Not applicable

Resources: Dr. Arathi Rao, Ninu P Mathew, Dr. Prakash Narayanan

Supervision: Dr. P Arathi Rao and Dr. Prakash Narayanan

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ninu P. Mathew.

Ethics declarations

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Committee, Kasturba Medical College and Kasturba Hospitals, MAHE.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Key messages

Given the evidence of gestational diabetes mellitus and its progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus, we have to promote postpartum follow-up.

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Mathew, N.P., Rao, A.P. & Narayanan, P. Barriers to postpartum follow-up of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus and its implications: a mixed method study. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries 41, 127–135 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-020-00853-0

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