Diabetes in Pregnancy – Co-design research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and communities

 

Project aim: This study aims to reduce diabetes-related risks before, during and after a pregnancy with diabetes by co-designing, implementing and evaluating a multi-component program.

 

Project overview: Diabetes in pregnancy is an important issue, particularly across northern Australia where there are increasing rates of gestational diabetes coupled with higher rates of pre-existing type 2 diabetes in pregnancy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

This study has three parts:

1. Part A, the formative work, includes three separate qualitative studies in the NT and Far North Queensland. These studies have explored the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with diabetes in pregnancy. Part A has concluded in the NT and is underway in Far North Queensland.
2. In Part B, the study team will use a structured co-design approach to hold workshops with Aboriginal women, communities, and health professionals (in the Top End, Central Australia, and Far North Queensland). The workshops will determine which strategies/programs will be tailored and ensure that all stakeholders have a chance to contribute to the design of the strategies/programs.
3. The last phase, Part C, aims to evaluate the implementation of a multi-component intervention that improves the metabolic health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women before, during and after a pregnancy complicated by diabetes.

 

 

This work is supported by the Centre for Research Excellence in Preconception and Pregnancy (CRE HiPP) and the Medical Research Future Fund MRF1199628.