Hispanic Women's Perspectives on Diabetes, Physical Activity and Health
| Funding Source | University of Michigan, Institute for Research on Women and Gender ($10,000) |
| Goals & Objectives: | To engage pregnant and postpartum Latinas participating in Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Hispanics in planning realistic and acceptable interventions to reduce risk factors for obesity and type 2 diabetes. |
| Communities Involved: |
Pregnant and postpartum Spanish speaking Latinas receiving prenatal care at CHASS |
| Partners: | CHASS, Schools of Public Health and Nursing |
| Intervention: | None directly; intervention planning project |
| Outcome Indicators: | Women's beliefs about diabetes, including factors influencing diabetes risk during and after pregnancy in mothers and babies; factors influencing their participation in regular physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum and recommendations for interventions. |
| Methods & Analyses: | CBPR approach to planning, conducting and analyzing data from focus group conducted in series of meetings with the same groups of women at 3 time points (mid and later in pregnancy and in the first 12 weeks after childbirth). |
| Results: | Women believed that diabetes was primarily related to heredity and diet but not to physical activity. Exercise was believed to reduce stress and improve general health. Women suggested an organized group program, in a respected location, that offered safe physical activities within the context of a variety of activities for women and children. This strategy reduced concerns about safety and social acceptability, while addressing their primary interest in social support. [Kieffer E., Willis S., Arellano N., Guzman R. Perspectives of Pregnant and Postpartum Latino Women on Diabetes, Physical Activity and Health. Health Education and Behavior. (29;5): 542-556; October 2002]. |