Table 2 Description of development of beliefs about health in migrant women with gestational diabetes born in African countries living in Sweden
Variable | Gestational week 34–38 | 3 months after delivery | 12 months after delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
Health described as | Freedom from diseasea Mental well-beinga To be healthy to be able to take care of the childa, b | Freedom from diseasea Mental well-beinga To be healthy to be able to take care of the childa, b | Freedom from disease Mental well-being To be healthy to be able to take care of the child a, b |
God decidesc | God decidesc | God decidesc | |
Factors of importance for health | Manage diet and mealsa Exercisea Follow advice concerning diet, meal times, controls, medicationsa, b | Appropriate dieta Exercisea Nothing particular | Appropriate dieta Exercisea |
Factors with negative impact on health | Nothing, except two stating weighta | Nothing | Nothing, except one stating weighta |
Maintenance of health and prevention of complications | Diet/exercisea | Diet/exercise but to a lesser extent and particularly concerning exercisea Weight reductiona, b | Diet/exercisea |
Use of alternative medicine/home remedies to improve health Religion of importance for health | Not used Religion important for health for all except onec | Not used Religion important for health for all except onec | Not used Religion important for health for all except onec |
Celebration of feasts/traditions of importance for health | Most told of positive influence on health and some that it had negative influencea | Many told of positive influence by increased well-being by meeting othersb | Many told of positive influence by increased well-being by meeting othersb |
Beliefs about appropriate food | Rich in fibres Reduction of sugar Regular meals The plate model | High fibre, sugar reduction, low fat diet | High-fibre, sugar reduction, low-fat and salt-reduced diet |
Beliefs about appropriate exercise | Taking walks is good | Taking walks is good | Taking walks is good |
Influence of economy on health | Most considered DM more expensive than ordinary food affecting health A few said economy had no influence on health as they had good economy | Most considered DM more expensive than ordinary food affecting health A few said economy had no influence on health as they had good economy | Most considered DM more expensive than ordinary food affecting health A few said economy had no influence on health as they had good economy |