Planning for the best start: an evaluation of pregnancy seminars for women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes  — ASN Events
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Planning for the best start: an evaluation of pregnancy seminars for women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes  (#390)

Melinda Morrison 1 , Karen Bucholz 2 , Effie Houvardas 1 , Trish Roderick 2 , Michelle Trute 2
  1. Diabetes NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Diabetes QLD, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Women with pre-existing diabetes are at high risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes1. Despite evidence for the benefits of pre-pregnancy planning in minimising these risks2, many Australian women with diabetes do not plan their pregnancies or seek pre-pregnancy care (PPC) prior to conception3,4.

As an initiative of the NDSS* Diabetes in Pregnancy National Development Program, pregnancy seminars for women with diabetes were pilot tested and implemented as NDSS Registrant Support Services in NSW and QLD. Process and impact evaluation were undertaken to determine if seminar objectives were being met.

In 2016, three seminars across the two states were attended by 181 participants with 110 evaluations completed. Analysis was completed on evaluations returned by women with type 1 (n= 52) and type 2 diabetes (n=10). Participants were predominately Australian born (76%) and English speaking (95%). Satisfaction was rated as good/very good for seminar topics (98%), level of information (100%), materials provided (96%) and length of seminar (90%). As a result of attending the seminar 93% of participants agreed/strongly agreed that it improved understanding of pre-pregnancy planning, 97% improved understanding about managing diabetes during pregnancy/labour, 87% improved confidence in planning/preparing for pregnancy, 90% increased awareness of how to access PPC and 93% motivation to change health behaviours. 100% of participants would recommend the seminar to others. In univariate chi-squared analysis there were no significant differences in ratings between women by type of diabetes.

Pregnancy and diabetes seminars offer participants access to evidence-based information from experts in the field. Results of this evaluation suggest a high level of satisfaction with the seminars and improvements in understanding, confidence and awareness. Increasing attendance by women with type 2 diabetes was identified as an area for improvement. Evaluation results and feedback will be used for continuous quality improvement to ensure the needs of participants are being met.

Diabetes NSW and Diabetes QLD would like to acknowledge the 2016 seminar speakers: A/Prof G. Ross, Dr A. Mackie, G. Holters, N. Leader, H. Donkin, Dr K. Wynne, Dr J. Bailey, A. Gebuehr, J. Martin, S. Richards, Prof D. McIntyre, Dr A. Hanlon, R. Hinton, Dr S. Wilkinson and R. Kwan; and sincerely thank the 2014/15 pilot seminar speakers. 

  1. AIHW 2010. Diabetes in pregnancy: its impact on Australian women and their babies. Diabetes series no. 14. Cat. no. CVD 52. Canberra: AIHW.
  2. Murphy HR, Roland JM, Skinner TC, Simmons D, Gurnell E, Moorish NJ, Soo S-C, Kelly S, Randall J, Tompsett S, and Temple RC. Effectiveness of a regional pre-pregnancy care program in women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: benefits beyond glycemic control. Diabetes Care 2010; 33: 2514–2520.
  3. McElduff, A., et al., Pregestational diabetes and pregnancy: an Australian experience. Diabetes Care, 2005. 28(5): p. 1260-1.
  4. Zhu, H., et al., Utilisation of preconception care in women with pregestational diabetes in Western Australia. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2012. 52(6): p. 593-6.
  5. *The NDSS is an initiative of the Australian Government administered by Diabetes Australia.
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