Exploring the needs, concerns and knowledge of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes: A qualitative study

Objective
To explore the concerns, needs and knowledge of women diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).
Design
A qualitative study of women with GDM or a history of GDM.
Methods
Nineteen women who were both pregnant and recently diagnosed with GDM or post- natal with a recent history of GDM were recruited from outpatient diabetes care clinics. This qualitative study utilised focus groups. Participants were asked a series of open-ended questions to explore 1) current knowledge of GDM; 2) anxiety when diagnosed with GDM, and whether this changed overtime; 3) understanding and managing GDM and 4) the future impact of GDM. The data were analysed using a conventional content analysis approach.
Findings
Women experience a steep learning curve when initially diagnosed and eventually become skilled at managing their disease effectively. The use of insulin is associated with fear and guilt. Diet advice was sometimes complex and not culturally appropriate. Women appear not to be fully aware of the short or long-term consequences of a diagnosis of GDM.
Conclusions
Midwives and other Health Care Professionals need to be cognisant of the impact of a diagnosis of GDM and give individual and culturally appropriate advice (especially with regards to diet). High quality, evidence based information resources need to be made available to this group of women. Future health risks and lifestyle changes need to be discussed at diagnosis to ensure women have the opportunity to improve their health.

Can we cook away veterinary drug residues in food?

When most people think of food safety they think of food poisoning and bacteria. They also, one hopes, generally follow the well-understood public advice on bacterial risks and store their food properly and cook it thoroughly. But what about chemical risks in food? Do many consumers ask the question “if drug residues are in my food, does cooking make it safe?” Or do they assume that following the good advice on bacterial risks also affords some protection against the health risks of chemical contaminants? In this short report we highlight some difficulties in assessing the stability of veterinary drug residues during cooking and summarise our cooking studies on anthelmintics, nitroimidazoles and nitrofuran residues in various foods. safefood Knowledge Networks http://safefood.ning.com/