Disciplines
Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy. This condition affects pregnant women worldwide; up to 17% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. The consequences of gestational diabetes are myriad. For women, they include preeclampsia and problems during delivery. In addition, gestational diabetes can lead to fetal and neonatal loss and various congenital abnormalities and malformations. Purpose: This review aims to observe the extent to which health disparities affect the development of gestational diabetes in pregnant women between the ages of 20 and 40, specifically examining the social determinants access to healthcare, poverty, education, nutrition, and obesity. Methods: Databases used in the systematic search were CINAHL, PubMed, Nursing and Allied Health, and Ovid. Keywords to narrow the search included: gestational diabetes, nutrition, obesity, pregnancy, low-income, health disparities, access to care, healthcare, and prenatal care. Inclusion criteria were gestational diabetes populations, healthcare data from 2016 to present, literature in the English language, and pregnancies aged 20-40. Exclusion criteria were literature before 2016, non-pregnant diabetic populations, literature in non-English languages, and pregnant teenage populations. Our goal was to synthesize data representing access to healthcare from our population to see where commonalities lie. Discussion: American Indian and Native Alaskan women are among the most underserved populations and are at most risk for developing GDM. There is an association between obesity, poor nutrition, and the risk for developing GDM. Perceived risks associated with GDM and T2DM are influenced by healthcare providers. Access to transportation, economic status, and health literacy all impact the development of GDM. Individualized programs teaching nutrition and exercise, and specialized care clinics were helpful in preventing GDM.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Nursing
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Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Doreen Wagner
The Effect of Health Disparities on the Development of Gestational Diabetes: A Synthesis
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy. This condition affects pregnant women worldwide; up to 17% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. The consequences of gestational diabetes are myriad. For women, they include preeclampsia and problems during delivery. In addition, gestational diabetes can lead to fetal and neonatal loss and various congenital abnormalities and malformations. Purpose: This review aims to observe the extent to which health disparities affect the development of gestational diabetes in pregnant women between the ages of 20 and 40, specifically examining the social determinants access to healthcare, poverty, education, nutrition, and obesity. Methods: Databases used in the systematic search were CINAHL, PubMed, Nursing and Allied Health, and Ovid. Keywords to narrow the search included: gestational diabetes, nutrition, obesity, pregnancy, low-income, health disparities, access to care, healthcare, and prenatal care. Inclusion criteria were gestational diabetes populations, healthcare data from 2016 to present, literature in the English language, and pregnancies aged 20-40. Exclusion criteria were literature before 2016, non-pregnant diabetic populations, literature in non-English languages, and pregnant teenage populations. Our goal was to synthesize data representing access to healthcare from our population to see where commonalities lie. Discussion: American Indian and Native Alaskan women are among the most underserved populations and are at most risk for developing GDM. There is an association between obesity, poor nutrition, and the risk for developing GDM. Perceived risks associated with GDM and T2DM are influenced by healthcare providers. Access to transportation, economic status, and health literacy all impact the development of GDM. Individualized programs teaching nutrition and exercise, and specialized care clinics were helpful in preventing GDM.