Perceived needs in women with gestational diabetes: A qualitative study.
BACKGROUND
Diabetes is the most common medical complication of pregnancy. It can be associated with many complications for mother and fetus. Gestational diabetes is also one of the main health issues in Iran. Therefore, the present study is aimed at a deeper understanding of women's experiences of gestational diabetes and their perceived needs to inform future lifestyle interventions.


METHODS
This qualitative content analysis study was carried out in 2015. Participants were pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes in the 24thto 36thweek of pregnancy, who were referred to the clinics affiliated with Shahid Beheshti Medical Science University in Tehran, Iran. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants, using semi-structured questions. Interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Conventional content analysis was carried out for data analysis. Interviews continued until data saturation was obtained. Data were coded in MAXQDA software (version 11).


RESULTS
Content analysis highlighted two themes; educational needs and need to support. The former was featured with five main categories: information sources, education process, unknown and known, weaknesses of public information system, and eagerness to learn. The latter was featured with two main categories: family support and social support.


CONCLUSIONS
Clarifying the needs of the mothers with gestational diabetes, leads to better and proper education planning and a program toward the improvement of health, self-care, and prevention of diabetes.
Student Research Office, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, International Branch, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Taraneh Emamgoli
TE
Khooshehchin
Assistant Professor, Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Zohre
Z
Keshavarz
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Shohada Tajresh Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Maryam
M
Afrakhteh
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Elham
E
Shakibazadeh
Department of Biostatistics, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
Soghrat
S
Faghihzadeh
Content analysis; Diabetes; Needs; Pregnancy; Women