"It Empowers You to Empower Them": Health Professional Perspectives of Care for Hyperglycaemia in Pregnancy Following a Multi-Component Health Systems Intervention.

The Northern Territory (NT) and Far North Queensland (FNQ) have a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women birthing who experience hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. A multi-component health systems intervention to improve antenatal and postpartum care in these regions for women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy was implemented between 2016 and 2019. We explored health professional perspectives on the impact of the intervention on healthcare.

Gestational diabetes is associated with postpartum hemorrhage in Indigenous Australian women in the PANDORA study: A prospective cohort.

Objective: To assess associations of hyperglycemia in pregnancy with the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in a prospective cohort of Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, compared with normoglycemia.

Methods: Data were from 1102 (48% Indigenous) women of the Pregnancy And Neonatal Diabetes Outcomes in Remote Australia (PANDORA) Study. Age-adjusted associations of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obstetric and demographic covariables with PPH (blood loss ≥500 ml) were assessed using logistic regression.

'No sugar', 'no junk food', 'do more exercise' - moving beyond simple messages to improve the health of Aboriginal women with Hyperglycaemia in Pregnancy in the Northern Territory - A phenomenological study.

Background: Globally, rates of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy are highest among Indigenous women. The highest prevalence has been documented among Aboriginal women in the Northern Territory of Australia. Despite knowledge of this for over two decades, there has been very limited examination of the specific needs and experiences of Aboriginal women regarding this condition.

Improving systems of care during and after a pregnancy complicated by hyperglycaemia: A protocol for a complex health systems intervention.

Background: Many women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy do not receive care during and after pregnancy according to standards recommended in international guidelines. The burden of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy falls disproportionately upon Indigenous peoples worldwide, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia. The remote and regional Australian context poses additional barriers to delivering healthcare, including high staff turnover and a socially disadvantaged population with a high prevalence of diabetes.

Primary Health Care for Aboriginal Australian Women in Remote Communities after a Pregnancy with Hyperglycaemia.

Background: Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy contributes to adverse outcomes for women and their children. The postpartum period is an opportune time to support women to reduce cardiometabolic and diabetes risk in subsequent pregnancies.

Aims: To identify strengths and gaps in current care for Aboriginal women after a pregnancy complicated by hyperglycaemia.

Diabetes care in remote Australia: the antenatal, postpartum and inter-pregnancy period.

Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience high rates of diabetes in pregnancy (DIP), contributing to health risks for mother and infant, and the intergenerational cycle of diabetes. By enhancing diabetes management during pregnancy, postpartum and the interval between pregnancies, the DIP Partnership aims to improve health outcomes and reduce risks early in the life-course. We describe a mixed methods formative study of health professional's perspectives of antenatal and post-partum diabetes screening and management, including enablers and barriers to care.

Birth outcomes in women with gestational diabetes managed by lifestyle modification alone: The PANDORA study.

Aims: To assess outcomes of women in the Pregnancy and Neonatal Diabetes Outcomes in Remote Australia (PANDORA) cohort with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) managed by lifestyle modification compared with women without hyperglycaemia in pregnancy.

Methods: Indigenous (n = 97) and Europid (n = 113) women managed by lifestyle modification were compared to women without hyperglycaemia (n = 235). Multivariate linear and logistic regressions assessed whether GDM-lifestyle women had poorer outcomes compared to women without hyperglycaemia.

Improving Models of Care for Diabetes in Pregnancy: Experience of Current Practice in Far North Queensland, Australia.

To map health practitioners' experiences and describe knowledge regarding screening and management of Diabetes in Pregnancy (DIP) in Far North Queensland, Australia. Mixed methods including a cross-sectional survey (101 respondents) and 8 focus groups with 61 health practitioners. All participants provided clinical care for women with DIP.

Real-world experience of metformin use in pregnancy: Observational data from the Northern Territory Diabetes in Pregnancy Clinical Register.

Background: In Australia's Northern Territory, Indigenous mothers account for 33% of births and have high rates of hyperglycemia in pregnancy. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in pregnancy is up to 10-fold higher in Indigenous than non-Indigenous Australian mothers, and the use of metformin is common. We assessed birth outcomes in relation to metformin use during pregnancy from a clinical register.

Maternal body mass index, excess gestational weight gain, and diabetes are positively associated with neonatal adiposity in the Pregnancy and Neonatal Diabetes Outcomes in Remote Australia (PANDORA) study.

Background: In-utero exposures likely influence the onset and severity of obesity in youth. With increasing rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and maternal adiposity in pregnancy globally, it is important to assess the impact of these factors on neonatal adipose measures.

Objectives: To evaluate the contribution of maternal ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, and hyperglycaemia to neonatal adiposity.

Pregnancy And Neonatal Diabetes Outcomes in Remote Australia: the PANDORA study-an observational birth cohort.

Background: In Australia's Northern Territory, 33% of babies are born to Indigenous mothers, who experience high rates of hyperglycemia in pregnancy. We aimed to determine the extent to which pregnancy outcomes for Indigenous Australian women are explained by relative frequencies of diabetes type [type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and gestational diabetes (GDM)].

Methods: This prospective birth cohort study examined participants recruited from a hyperglycemia in pregnancy register.

Improving postpartum screening after diabetes in pregnancy: Results of a pilot study in remote Australia.

Background: The postpartum period is a critical time to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal women, particularly for those who have chronic conditions.

Aims: To assess enhanced support methods (for women following diabetes in pregnancy (DIP)) to improve completion rates of recommended postpartum health checks.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-three Aboriginal women in the Northern Territory (NT) were contacted in the postpartum period to encourage medical check-ups.

Implementation of a diabetes in pregnancy clinical register in a complex setting: Findings from a process evaluation.

Background: Rates of diabetes in pregnancy are disproportionately higher among Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal women in Australia. Additional challenges are posed by the context of Aboriginal health including remoteness and disadvantage. A clinical register was established in 2011 to improve care coordination, and as an epidemiological and quality assurance tool.

Health service changes to address diabetes in pregnancy in a complex setting: perspectives of health professionals.

Background: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have high rates of gestational and pre-existing type 2 diabetes in pregnancy. The Northern Territory (NT) Diabetes in Pregnancy Partnership was established to enhance systems and services to improve health outcomes. It has three arms: a clinical register, developing models of care and a longitudinal birth cohort.

Preconception care for women with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A mixed-methods study of provider knowledge and practice.

Aims: Preconception care may decrease adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with pre-existing diabetes mellitus. Aboriginal Australians are at high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with earlier onset. We explored practitioner views on preconception care delivery for women with T2DM in the Northern Territory, where 31% of births are to Aboriginal women.

Improving health service delivery for women with diabetes in pregnancy in remote Australia: survey of care in the Northern Territory Diabetes in Pregnancy Partnership.

Background: In the Northern Territory (NT), 38% of 3500 births each year are to Indigenous women, 80% of whom live in regional and remote areas. Compared with the general Australian population, rates of pre-existing type 2 diabetes in pregnancy are 10-fold higher and rates of gestational diabetes are 1.5-fold higher among Indigenous women.

Pregnancy And Neonatal Diabetes Outcomes in Remote Australia (PANDORA) Study.

Background: Diabetes in pregnancy carries an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for both the mother and foetus, but it also provides an excellent early opportunity for intervention in the life course for both mother and baby. In the context of the escalating epidemic of chronic diseases among Indigenous Australians, it is vital that this risk is reduced as early as possible in the life course of the individual. The aims of the PANDORA Study are to: (i) accurately assess rates of diabetes in pregnancy in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, where 38% of babies are born to Indigenous mothers; (ii) assess demographic, clinical, biochemical, anthropometric, socioeconomic and early life development factors that may contribute to key maternal and neonatal birth outcomes associated with diabetes in pregnancy; and (iii) monitor relevant post-partum clinical outcomes for both the mothers and their babies.

Complications of diabetes in urban Indigenous Australians: the DRUID study.

Aims: To accurately assess the management and complications of type 2 diabetes in urban Indigenous Australians and compare the risk of complications with a general Australian population (AusDiab Study).

Methods: The Darwin Region Urban Indigenous Diabetes (DRUID) Study included 1004 volunteers aged >/=15 years; diabetes status was classifiable for 866. The assessment of diabetic complications and metabolic control was performed in participants with known diabetes (KDM) and diabetes newly diagnosed by the study (NDM) using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and clinical examination.

Risks to feet in the top end: outcomes of diabetic foot complications.

Background: The foot complications of diabetes are severe, disabling, costly and common in the Northern Territory. An understanding of the pathogenesis, the disease spectrum and treatment efficacy, however, is poor. The patterns of disease are documented in the present study; factors associated with good and poor outcomes are identified; and improved management strategies are proposed.

Diabetic foot care: developing culturally appropriate educational tools for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Evidence shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the highest national percentage of morbidity in relation to diabetes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people also suffer the greatest risk of amputation as a complication of diabetes. This participatory action research project sought to discover the opinions of a range of people, including registered nurses, general practitioners, Aboriginal health workers, cross-cultural liaison officers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes.