Designing a data set for postpartum recall registry of women with gestational diabetes in recent pregnancy and its implementation in Iranian urban health centers

Abstract

Background and aims: Gestational diabetes has serious short and long-term consequences for both mother and child. Designing a standard data set and implementing a recall registry system provides opportunities for early interventions in women with a history of gestational diabetes. The present study aims to draft a data set for the gestational diabetes recall registry and its establishment in urban health centers.

Methods: To design a data set for gestational diabetes postpartum recall registry a qualitative study has been done from April to June of 2019. In this stage, Information need assessment, Identification of data elements, development of registry software, and field-testing were done. Web-based software was designed in NET language and using a Visual Studio programming environment. Implementation of the postpartum recall registry was started in 6 health centers of Ahvaz city from August 2019.

Results: During six months 163 women with gestational diabetes in current pregnancy were registered. The final data set for the postpartum recall registry included six main groups, 23 subclasses, and 188 data elements. Mandatory data were included 115 elements.

Conclusion: A data set was finalized using a standard method and implemented in urban health centers for six months. Implementing a postpartum registry with standard elements can help manage data and plan for future interventions to reduce modifiable risk factors in this population.

Keywords: Data set; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Health centers; Registry.