Knowledge of gestational diabetes mellitus at first consultation in a multi-ethnic pregnant population in the Oslo region, Norway - a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasing problem among pregnant women globally and is associated with short- and long-term consequences for both mother and newborn. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge of GDM among a multi-ethnic pregnant population at first consultation for GDM in the Oslo region in Norway.Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study using baseline data from a randomised controlled study performed at five diabetic outpatient clinics (DOC) in the Oslo region. Pregnant women diagnosed with GDM following an Oral Glucose Tolerance test (OGTT) with a 2-hours blood glucose level of ≥ 9 mmol/l were included. Women filled out a questionnaire on an electronic tablet at the study entry, and additional data were collected through a recruiting form. Descriptive statistics were performed and associations were investigated using Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis.Results: Of 238 women included in the study, 108 (45.4%) were native Norwegian speakers and 130 (54.6%) were non-native Norwegian speakers. 39.5% of the non-native Norwegian speakers were Asian, 22.5% were African, and 15.5% were from Eastern European Countries. Non-native Norwegian speakers were significantly more likely to have poor knowledge of GDM compared to native Norwegian speakers, adjusted OR = 4.5, 95% CI 1.61-12.5. Sensitivity analyses showed this was not due to poor language skills.Conclusions: Ethnic background was associated with the level of knowledge of GDM. Health professionals should be aware of the various knowledge levels concerning GDM and tailor their information towards women's knowledge. Linguistically- and culturally adapted information regarding GDM may improve knowledge gaps among women with immigrant backgrounds.

Talking about intimate partner violence in multi-cultural antenatal care: a qualitative study of pregnant women's advice for better communication in South-East Norway.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women constitutes a major public health problem. Antenatal care is considered a window of opportunity to disclose and to communicate about IPV. However, little is known about how women from different ethnic backgrounds wish to communicate about their experiences with IPV during pregnancy in antenatal care. The aim of the present study was to explore how women from different ethnic backgrounds experienced IPV and what their recommendations were about how midwives should communicate about IPV in antenatal care. METHODS: Qualitative individual interviews with eight women who had experienced IPV during pregnancy were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. The participants were purposively recruited from three crisis shelters in South-East Norway. RESULTS: The participants either had immigrant backgrounds (n = 5) or were ethnic Norwegians (n = 3). All participants received antenatal care by a midwife. Although none of the participants were asked about IPV during antenatal care, they wished to talk about their experiences. Most participants felt that it would be important for the midwife to make them aware that they were victims of violence. Participants offered different suggestions on how and when midwives should talk about IPV. Facilitators to talk about IPV with the midwife were a good relationship with and the trustworthiness of the midwife, information about possible negative health outcomes for the newborn owing to IPV and knowing that the midwife could help them. The main barriers to talk about IPV with the midwife were that the participants were accompanied by their husbands during antenatal care, fear that the Child Welfare Service would take away their children after disclosure and cultural acceptance of violence. Participants with immigrant backgrounds also experienced difficulties in talking about IPV owing to their limited language skills. They thought that professionally trained interpreters with experience of IPV could overcome this barrier. CONCLUSION: Even though none of the participants were asked about IPV in antenatal care, they offered different suggestions on how and when midwives should talk about IPV. Participants irrespective of their ethnical backgrounds perceived antenatal care as a key area to facilitate disclosure of IPV. Midwives' communication and strategic skills to address IPV are crucial for help-seeking women. Training midwives' skills in culture-sensitive communication might help to overcome cultural barriers to talk about violence.

Effect of the Pregnant+ smartphone application in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomised controlled trial in Norway.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the Pregnant+ app on the 2-hour glucose level of the routine postpartum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The Pregnant+ app was designed to provide information about GDM, and promote physical activity and a healthy diet. DESIGN: A multicentre, non-blinded randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Five diabetes outpatient clinics in the Oslo region. PARTICIPANTS: Women ≥18 years old with a 2-hour OGTT blood glucose level ≥9 mmol/L who owned a smartphone; understood Norwegian, Urdu or Somali; and were <33 weeks pregnant. A total of 238 women were randomised; 158 women completed the OGTT post partum. INTERVENTION: The Pregnant+ app and usual care, the control group received usual care. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was the 2-hour blood glucose level of the routine postpartum OGTT. Secondary outcomes reported were mode of delivery, induction of labour, Apgar score, birth weight, transfer to the neonatal intensive care unit and breast feeding practice. Blood glucose levels during pregnancy, knowledge of diabetes, diet and physical activity are not reported. RESULTS: No difference was found for the 2-hour blood glucose level of the postpartum OGTT, with 6.7 mmol/L (95% CI 6.2 to 7.1) in the intervention group and 6.0 mmol/L (95% CI 5.6 to 6.3) in the control group. The significant difference in the proportion of emergency caesarean sections between the intervention group, 10 (8.8%) and the usual care group, 27 (22.1%), disappeared when adjusted for parity. There were no differences in birth weight, breast feeding practice, obstetric complications or transfer to the intensive neonatal care unit. No adverse events were registered. CONCLUSION: The Pregnant+ app had no effect on 2-hour glucose level at routine postpartum OGTT. After controlling for parity, the difference in emergency caesarean section was not statistically significant. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02588729.

Smartphone application for women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The promotion of a healthy diet, physical activity and measurement of blood glucose levels are essential components in the care for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Smartphones offer a new way to promote health behaviour. The main aim is to investigate if the use of the Pregnant+ app, in addition to standard care, results in better blood glucose levels compared with current standard care only, for women with GDM. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This randomised controlled trial will include 230 pregnant women with GDM followed up at 5 outpatient departments (OPD) in the greater Oslo Region. Women with a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) ≥9 mmol/L, who own a smartphone, understand Norwegian, Urdu or Somali and are <33 weeks pregnant, are invited. The intervention group receives the Pregnant+ app and standard care. The control group receives standard care only. Block randomisation is performed electronically. Data are collected using self-reported questionnaires and hospital records. Data will be analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Groups will be compared using linear regression for the main outcome and χ2 test for categorical data and Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test for skewed distribution. The main outcome is the glucose level measured at the 2-hour OGTT 3 months postpartum. Secondary outcomes are a change in health behaviour and knowledge about GDM, quality of life, birth weight, mode of delivery and complications for mother and child. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is exempt from regional ethics review due to its nature of quality improvement in patient care. Our study has been approved by the Norwegian Social Science Data Services and the patient privacy protections boards governing over the recruitment sites. Findings will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02588729, Post-results.

Suitability Assessment of Printed Dietary Guidelines for Pregnant Women and Parents of Infants and Toddlers From 7 European Countries.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate selected European printed dietary guidelines for pregnant women and parents of infants and toddlers using the suitability assessment of materials (SAM) method. METHODS: A descriptive study to determine the suitability of 14 printed dietary guidelines from 7 European countries based on deductive quantitative analyses. RESULTS: Materials varied greatly in format and content: 35.7% of materials were rated superior and 64.3% were rated adequate according to the overall SAM score for patient education material. None of the materials were scored not suitable. Among the categories, the highest average scores were for layout and typography and the lowest average scores were for cultural appropriateness and learning stimulation and motivation. Interrater reliability ranged from Cohen's kappa of 0.37 to 0.62 (mean, 0.41), indicating fair to moderate agreement among the 3 investigators. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Overall, the suitability of the assessed printed dietary guidelines was adequate. Based on the SAM methodology, printed dietary guidelines may increase in suitability by emphasizing aspects related to health literacy and accommodating the needs of different food cultures within a population.

Designing and Developing a Mobile Smartphone Application for Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Followed-Up at Diabetes Outpatient Clinics in Norway.

The prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide. Controlling blood sugar levels is fundamental to the management of GDM. Current practice in Norway includes patients registering blood sugar levels in a booklet and receiving verbal and/or written health information. A smartphone application may provide patients individually targeted and easily available advice to control blood sugar levels. The aim of this paper is to document the process of designing and developing a smartphone application (the Pregnant+ app) that automatically transfers blood sugar levels from the glucometer and has information about healthy eating and physical activity. This formative research included expert-group discussions among health professionals, researchers and experts in data privacy and security. User-involvement studies were conducted to discuss prototypes of the app. Results indicated that the content of the application should be easy to understand given the varying degree of patients' literacy and in line with the information they receive at clinics. The final version of the app incorporated behavior change techniques such as self-monitoring and cues to action. Results from the first round of interactions show the importance of involving expert groups and patients when developing a mobile health-care device.