Systematic development and refinement of a user-centered evidence-based digital toolkit for supporting self-care in gestational diabetes mellitus
Abstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy complication affecting many women, requiring changes in behaviours, which command them to learn self-care practices shortly. Digital interventions have been developed to support women with GDM. However, they have often overlooked women’s ne...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96318-7 |
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| author | Maria Lua Nunes Beatriz Félix Francisco Nunes Inês Santos |
| author_facet | Maria Lua Nunes Beatriz Félix Francisco Nunes Inês Santos |
| author_sort | Maria Lua Nunes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy complication affecting many women, requiring changes in behaviours, which command them to learn self-care practices shortly. Digital interventions have been developed to support women with GDM. However, they have often overlooked women’s needs and characteristics and failed to frame self-care theories into their design. To address this issue, we adopted a mixed methods approach to develop and refine a user-centred, evidence-based digital Toolkit for supporting self-care in GDM, providing behavioural and educational content, particularly about nutrition. To inform the development and refinement of the Toolkit, we conducted a literature review, observed sixty-six nutrition appointments, interviewed eleven dietitians and seventeen patients, and held co-creation sessions with two dietitians, all of which were analysed using a deductive Thematic Analysis. To validate the Toolkit, we conducted a survey with seventeen healthcare professionals, which was analysed using descriptive statistics. The final version of the NUTRIA Toolkit consists of four main modules with thirty-eight artefacts, including behavioural tools to assist women in GDM management. Despite some limitations, this study robustly endorsed the development and refinement of a user-centred, evidence-based Toolkit for supporting self-care in GDM, aiming for future feasibility and trial testing. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0a1d2b075cc744edbbed0c61be813fcb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-0a1d2b075cc744edbbed0c61be813fcb2025-08-20T03:45:27ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-96318-7Systematic development and refinement of a user-centered evidence-based digital toolkit for supporting self-care in gestational diabetes mellitusMaria Lua Nunes0Beatriz Félix1Francisco Nunes2Inês Santos3Fraunhofer Portugal AICOSFraunhofer Portugal AICOSFraunhofer Portugal AICOSInstituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de LisboaAbstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy complication affecting many women, requiring changes in behaviours, which command them to learn self-care practices shortly. Digital interventions have been developed to support women with GDM. However, they have often overlooked women’s needs and characteristics and failed to frame self-care theories into their design. To address this issue, we adopted a mixed methods approach to develop and refine a user-centred, evidence-based digital Toolkit for supporting self-care in GDM, providing behavioural and educational content, particularly about nutrition. To inform the development and refinement of the Toolkit, we conducted a literature review, observed sixty-six nutrition appointments, interviewed eleven dietitians and seventeen patients, and held co-creation sessions with two dietitians, all of which were analysed using a deductive Thematic Analysis. To validate the Toolkit, we conducted a survey with seventeen healthcare professionals, which was analysed using descriptive statistics. The final version of the NUTRIA Toolkit consists of four main modules with thirty-eight artefacts, including behavioural tools to assist women in GDM management. Despite some limitations, this study robustly endorsed the development and refinement of a user-centred, evidence-based Toolkit for supporting self-care in GDM, aiming for future feasibility and trial testing.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96318-7PregnancyBehaviour changeHealth educationNutritionmHealthInformation and communication technologies |
| spellingShingle | Maria Lua Nunes Beatriz Félix Francisco Nunes Inês Santos Systematic development and refinement of a user-centered evidence-based digital toolkit for supporting self-care in gestational diabetes mellitus Scientific Reports Pregnancy Behaviour change Health education Nutrition mHealth Information and communication technologies |
| title | Systematic development and refinement of a user-centered evidence-based digital toolkit for supporting self-care in gestational diabetes mellitus |
| title_full | Systematic development and refinement of a user-centered evidence-based digital toolkit for supporting self-care in gestational diabetes mellitus |
| title_fullStr | Systematic development and refinement of a user-centered evidence-based digital toolkit for supporting self-care in gestational diabetes mellitus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Systematic development and refinement of a user-centered evidence-based digital toolkit for supporting self-care in gestational diabetes mellitus |
| title_short | Systematic development and refinement of a user-centered evidence-based digital toolkit for supporting self-care in gestational diabetes mellitus |
| title_sort | systematic development and refinement of a user centered evidence based digital toolkit for supporting self care in gestational diabetes mellitus |
| topic | Pregnancy Behaviour change Health education Nutrition mHealth Information and communication technologies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96318-7 |
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