Article

Analysis of spontaneous, user-generated data about gestational diabetes on online forums: implications for diabetes prevention

Details

Citation

Eades CE, Clarke KM, Cameron DM, Coulson N & Evans JMM (2020) Analysis of spontaneous, user-generated data about gestational diabetes on online forums: implications for diabetes prevention. Diabetic Medicine, 37 (12), pp. 2058-2066. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.14348

Abstract
Aims To explore the experiences and perceptions of gestational diabetes mellitus reported by women within online parental‐support forums and, specifically, to analyse what women say about a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, their future risk of type 2 diabetes, and lifestyle behaviour for management of gestational diabetes and prevention of type 2 diabetes. Methods The discussion boards of two parenting websites (Mumsnet and Netmums) were searched using the search term 'gestational diabetes or GD' in February 2019. Relevant posts made by users with gestational diabetes on or after 1 January 2017 were retained for analysis. Framework analysis using pre‐existing framework from a previous study was used to organize and analyse the data. Results A total of 646 posts generated by 282 unique users were included in the analysis. Analysis of the online content identified three important implicit messages that may be being conveyed to readers. The first is that gestational diabetes is not a serious diagnosis that warrants undue concern. Secondly, few users recognized the importance of their own behaviours or lifestyle, with others minimizing personal responsibility or attributing gestational diabetes to non‐modifiable factors. Finally, there was a lack of acknowledgment of heightened risk of type 2 diabetes. These three messages will all directly mitigate against the efforts of clinicians (and others) to encourage women with gestational diabetes to improve their lifestyle behaviours in the longer term. Conclusions These findings highlight messages that are being widely disseminated and that are unlikely to support prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Keywords
Internal Medicine; Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Endocrinology

Journal
Diabetic Medicine: Volume 37, Issue 12

StatusPublished
Publication date31/12/2020
Publication date online23/06/2020
Date accepted by journal17/06/2020
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/31376
PublisherWiley
ISSN0742-3071
eISSN1464-5491

People (2)

People

Dr Kathleen Clarke

Dr Kathleen Clarke

Lecturer, Health Sciences Stirling

Dr Claire Eades

Dr Claire Eades

Lecturer, Health Sciences Stirling

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