Every year in Australia over 17,000 women develop gestational diabetes (GDM). This number is predicted to grow significantly over the next few decades. Five percent of confinements in Australia are diagnosed with GDM.(1)

Women born overseas have twice the incidence of gestational diabetes than Australian born women.(1) GDM is associated with increased risk of complications in pregnancy and birth and is associated with higher incidence of type 2 diabetes in these women and their offspring.

NDSS has initiated a support program for registrants with gestational diabetes including the NDSS GDM register, the health professional GDM starter pack and further development of translated resources for culturally diverse communities (CALD).
In 2005 NDSS produced a culturally appropriate and translated DVD "Understanding Gestational Diabetes" in Arabic, Chinese, Turkish, Vietnamese and English.

The current aim of this NDSS project was to create an updated version of the DVD for an additional five CALD communities who have a high incidence of gestational diabetes and low literacy.

Feedback from consultation with health professionals, CALD organizations, community members and women with GDM indicated a resource for South Asian women was a priority. Higher incidence (3-4 times that of Australian born women) and lack of culturally appropriate and translated information highlighted this need.

Communities chosen were Khmer, Urdu, Farsi, Punjabi and Bengali. Volunteers with a recent history of gestational diabetes were recruited via the NDSS GDM database and ethnic media. Women from these backgrounds are often reluctant to speak publicly. Volunteers however expressed a desire to assist other women and have added an inspirational dimension to this DVD that will engage the women from their cultural background.

This culturally appropriate DVD will educate women on managing GDM, promote follow-up and registration on the GDM register and is a long awaited resource for health professionals.