Exploratory study examines barriers and facilitators to gestational diabetes care among Native American women, suggesting improvements for better healthcare.
Objectives: Native American/American Indian (NA/AI) women are disproportionately affected by gestational diabetes (GDM). This study aims to explore a group of NA/AI women’s GDM care experiences. Methods: Exploratory study using in-depth, qualitative interviews with key informants (care providers and NA/AI women with GDM) in Robeson County, North Carolina. Recruitment was done through snowball and purposive sampling. An inductive approach was used for thematic analysis. Results: Ten key informants were interviewed from August-December 2025. Five themes emerged: (1) This NA/AI community values familial support and cultural healing practices; (2) Community diabetes experiences affect perceived GDM threat; (3) Lack of transportation and providers are barriers to healthcare; (4) Representation and relationship building are facilitators for healthcare; (5) Considering cultural foodways and food environment helps make effective GDM nutrition recommendations. Conclusion: These findings may help address GDM among this group of NA/AI women and may provide a framework for further exploring this topic.
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Kaela Brandon (2026) studied this question.
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