Explanation the experiences of mothers with gestational diabetes about the factors affecting self-care: A qualitative study

Background and aims: Diabetes is the most common medical complication of pregnancy. This disease is a growing health problem in the world. Self-care is the most important factor in the control of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Several factors include biological factors, psychological, economic, social, cultural and health care system. Community Treatment is effective directly and indirectly on self-care behaviors in patients with diabetes.The aim of this study was to assess mothers, experiences with gestational diabetes on the factors influencing self-care. Methods: This study is a qualitative conventional content analysis research. In this study, data were collected by semi-structured individual interviews. Interviews were performed based on interview guidance. Participants were pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes in 24th-36th week of pregnancy who referred to the clinics affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. After 12 interviews with participants, data were saturated. Conventional content analysis was done for data analysis. To assess the accuracy and reliability of data, four criteria provided by Lincoln and Guba, including dependability, credibility, confirmability and transferability were used. For the analysis of qualitative data in this study, the conventional qualitative content analysis methods and software MAXQDA 10 was used. Results: Perception of pregnant women led to the extraction of two themes: barriers and facilitators to self-care. The former was featured with four main categories: insolvency, perceived problems, admission disease and support from others. 13 sub- categories were also classified in the main form. Results showed that mothers for self- care actions, need to get further information via health-care provider and get more support from their relatives. It was also found barriers and facilitators to take care of mothers in most societies is almost the same. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it is needed to do appropriate proceedings to promoting culture, providing appropriate information and higher quality services, and promoting healthlevel and self-care of mothers with gestational diabetes