Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This may be prevented or delayed with lifestyle intervention, but our recent equity audit found that women from rural and regional areas or South Asian backgrounds are less likely to engage with these programs.
Objective: This study utilised participatory and co-design methodology to improve engagement with these groups.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women with a history of GDM from rural and regional areas or South Asian backgrounds, and with the health professionals serving these groups. Co-design workshops were conducted for each priority group, and solutions were developed based on the Transtheoretical Domains Framework.
Results: A total of 21 women and 15 health professionals participated in the co-design activities for these priority groups. For the rural and regional group, the key barriers were low awareness of the program, low T2DM risk perception, and lack of access to general practitioners. Co-designed solutions include videos highlighting the experiences of mothers in the program. In the South Asian group, key barriers were a family-centred approach to health, lack of cultural responsiveness in health service, and prevention services disconnected from community activities. Co-designed solutions include mothers’ circles to share experiences with T2DM prevention and integration with community and cultural events.
Conclusions: Greater visibility of the program, sharing of mothers’ experiences in T2DM prevention and greater integration between health and community service are needed to increase the reach and engagement of diabetes prevention programs especially in priority groups.