Respecting tribal voices in the development of a gestational diabetes risk reduction preconception counseling program for American Indian/Alaska Native adolescent females: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are disproportionately affected by adolescent obesity, adolescent pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GDM is associated with increased risk for perinatal death, obesity, and subsequent type 2 diabetes (T2D) for the offspring. Moreover, mothers with GDM are also at increased risk for T2D post-partum. Yet few lifestyle interventions exist to reduce GDM risk prior to pregnancy. We describe the process of adapting an existing validated preconception counseling intervention for AI/AN adolescent girls at-risk for GDM and their mothers. Perspectives and recommendations were gathered from a diverse array of stakeholders to assure the new program called Stopping GDM was culturally responsive and developed with tribal voices and perspectives represented. METHODS: We conducted focus groups and individual interviews with multiple AI/AN stakeholders (n = 55). Focus groups and interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic content approach to construct cross-cutting themes across the focus groups and interviews. RESULTS: Four key themes emerged reflecting issues important to planning a reproductive health intervention: 1) Limited awareness, knowledge, and health education resources about GDM; 2) The importance of acknowledging traditional AI/AN values and the diversity of traditions and culture among AI/AN tribes; 3) The need to cultivate healthy decision-making skills and empower girls to make safe and healthy choices; and 4) Lack of communication about reproductive health between AI/AN mothers and daughters and between AI/AN women and health care professionals. CONCLUSION: Findings have been used to inform the cultural tailoring and adaptation of an existing preconception counseling program, originally designed for non-AI/AN adolescent girls with diabetes, for AI/AN adolescents at-risk for GDM in future pregnancies.

Recommendations from an expert panel of health professionals regarding a gestational diabetes risk reduction intervention for American Indian/Alaska Native Teens.

BACKGROUND: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents are at higher risk for gestational diabetes (GDM), type 2 diabetes, and pregnancy complications than the general population. OBJECTIVE: To inform cultural adaptation of a validated evidence-based intervention (VEBI) originally designed to deliver preconception counseling and diabetes education to non-AI/AN teens with diabetes. DESIGN: Qualitative data were collected using focus group and individual interview methods with health care professionals and experts (n = 16) in AI/AN health, GDM, adolescent health, and/or mother-daughter communication. A semistructured discussion guide elicited responses about provision of care for AI/AN girls at risk for GDM, experience with successful programs for AI/AN teens, comfort of mother/daughter dyads in talking about diabetes and reproductive health and reactions to video clips and booklet selections from the VEBI. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and data analysis included inductive coding and identification of emergent themes. RESULTS: Providers felt teens and their moms would be comfortable talking about the VEBI topics and that teens who did not feel comfortable talking to their mom would likely rely on another adult female. Participants suggested including: AI/AN images/motifs, education with a community focus, and avoiding directive language. Concerns included: socioeconomic issues that affect AI/AN people such as: food and housing insecurity, abuse, and historical trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Perspectives from these participants have been used to guide the development of a culturally tailored GDM risk reduction program for AI/AN girls. This program will be available to health care providers who serve the AI/AN population.

Reducing risk for gestational diabetes among American Indian and Alaska Native teenagers: Tribal leaders' recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: To elicit feedback from tribal leaders and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) health system administrators as a national stakeholder perspective to inform the development of a gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk reduction and preconception counseling intervention for AI/AN teenagers at high risk for GDM. METHODS: A semi-structured focus group interview guide was developed by both principal investigators and qualitative methods experts. Using open-ended questions about the Reproductive-health Education and Awareness of Diabetes in Youth for Girls (READY-Girls) booklet and video clips, AI/AN health care system administrators and elected tribal leaders attending the 2015 National Indian Health Board Conference in Washington, DC, made recommendations on adaptation for an AI/AN audience. The focus group was recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by two researchers using an inductive coding technique with constant comparison method as supported by the grounded theory approach. RESULTS: Recommendations from the 12 participants included: (1) the best ways to communicate with AI/AN teenagers, (2) the importance of parental, family, and community education and engagement to support AI/AN teenagers in GDM risk reduction, and (3) building on traditional AI/AN cultural values and practices, while accommodating differences between tribes and regions. CONCLUSION: Findings from this focus group were used to inform the iterative development of a GDM risk reduction and preconception counseling intervention for AI/AN teenagers.

Stopping Gestational Diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Native Girls: Nutrition as a Key Component to Gestational Diabetes Risk Reduction.

BACKGROUND: American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women have a higher risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and subsequent diagnosis of diabetes than do non-Hispanic White women. Healthy eating is key to weight management both prior to pregnancy and between pregnancies and can reduce the risk of developing GDM. Our research team developed an innovative preconception counseling and diabetes risk-reduction program, which includes nutrition and weight-management principles and is culturally tailored for adolescent AI/AN women. The program is entitled Stopping Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (SGDM). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to examine nutrition-related information collected as a part of the formative qualitative research conducted for the development of a preconception counseling and gestational diabetes risk-reduction program, SGDM. METHODS: This in-depth secondary analysis explored the original qualitative data from the needs assessment for SGDM program development. Participants included AI/AN women with a history of GDM (n = 5); AI/AN girls at risk of GDM (n = 14), and their mothers (n = 11), health care providers, and health administrators who care for AI/AN girls (n = 16); AI/AN elected leaders; and Indian health system administrators (n = 12). All focus groups and interviews were reanalyzed utilizing the following research question: "How do key stakeholders discuss food and/or nutrition in terms of gestational diabetes risk reduction for AI/AN adolescent girls?" RESULTS: Three primary nutrition themes emerged: 1) AI/AN women were aware of healthy nutrition, healthy weight gainduring pregnancy, and healthy nutrition for people with type 2 diabetes, but these principles were not linked to reducing the risk of GDM; 2) participants expressed the need for education on the role of nutrition and weight management in GDM risk reduction; 3) participants shared challenges of healthful eating during and before pregnancy for AI/AN women. CONCLUSIONS: These stakeholders' comments informed the development of the nutrition components of SGDM.