Journal article
Postpartum OGTT Non-Adherence in Regional and Rural Australia: A Longitudinal Study
International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.23(4), pp.1-11
21/04/2026
PMID: 42074475
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Abstract
Background: Postpartum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) screening after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) enables early detection and prevention of type 2 diabetes, yet adherence is suboptimal, particularly in regional and rural areas. This study examined lifestyle behaviour and health-related quality-of-life factors associated with OGTT non-adherence over time.
Methods: A longitudinal cohort study of women with prior GDM in regional and rural New South Wales, Australia, was conducted. Binary logistic regression models examined associations between lifestyle behaviours, health-related quality of life, and OGTT non-adherence at 3, 18, and 36 months postpartum.
Results: OGTT non-adherence increased over time. Multivariable models were not statistically significant at any timepoint. At 3 months postpartum, several lifestyle and health-related quality-of-life variables were associated with non-adherence; however, these associations were not sustained at later timepoints. No consistent predictors of non-adherence were identified across follow-up.
Conclusions: All women with prior GDM remain at risk of missed postpartum screening, with engagement declining over time. Findings should be interpreted as exploratory, reflecting time-specific patterns rather than stable predictors. Early postpartum represents a critical window for intervention, while longer-term strategies require flexible, integrated, and accessible models of care to support sustained diabetes prevention, particularly in regional and rural populations.
Details
- Title
- Postpartum OGTT Non-Adherence in Regional and Rural Australia: A Longitudinal Study
- Creators
- Michelle Culhane - Northern New South Wales Local Health District (Australia, Lismore)Shelley Jedrisko - Northern New South Wales Local Health District (Australia, Lismore)Joanne Harris - Northern New South Wales Local Health District (Australia, Lismore)Michelle Johnson - Northern New South Wales Local Health District (Australia, Lismore)Nourah Lababidi - Southern Cross UniversityChristina Aggar - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.23(4), pp.1-11
- Publisher
- Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
- Identifiers
- 991013374546302368
- Copyright
- © 2026 by the authors.
- Academic Unit
- Nursing; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article