Facilitators of Postpartum Diabetes Screening in Women with Recent Gestational Diabetes: A Qualitative Study

Background: Risk of diabetes mellitus is higher in women with a historyof gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Postpartum diabetes screening isrecommended in women with GDM. However, the rate of this screening is low.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to perform an in‑depth exploration ofperceived facilitators of attendance to postpartum diabetes screening in women withrecent GDM. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2016 in Tehran.Semi‑structured interviews carried out with 22 women with a recent GDM whogave birth at least 6 months before the interview. Results: Four main categorieswere emerged from the data. Each category included two to three subcategories.The first category was appropriate education and included two subcategories ofprenatal education and postpartum education. The second category was feelingthe ease of screening and included two subcategories of spousal support, andappropriate laboratory facilities. The third category was self‑regulation andincluded three subcategories of importance of health, a desire toward learningabout health, and proper planning. The fourth category was attitudes toward thescreening and included three subcategories of initial fear better than consequences,feeling comfortable, and uncertainty regarding glucometers’ accuracy. Thelast category was perceived threat and included three subcategories of fear ofdeveloping diabetes, being healthy to serve the child/children, and being healthyfor other roles. Conclusion: Iranian women with recent GDM reported severalfacilitators for diabetes postpartum screening. Further studies are suggested.