Implementation and evaluation of the centering pregnancy group prenatal care model in pregnant women with diabetes: a convergent parallel mixed methods study protocol

Diabetes during pregnancy has negative effects on both mothers and their fetuses. To improve perinatal outcomes and women’s experience of care, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests implementing health system interventions to enhance the use and quality of antenatal care. The main goal of this study is to implement and evaluate the outcomes of the Centering Pregnancy group care model for pregnant women with diabetes. The study will consist of three phases: a quantitative phase, a qualitative phase, and a mixed phase. In the quantitative phase, a randomized controlled trial will be conducted on 100 pregnant women with diabetes receiving prenatal care in Tabriz City, Iran. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire will also be validated in this phase. The qualitative phase will use qualitative content analysis with in-depth and semi-structured individual interviews to explore pregnant women’s understanding of the impact of the Centering Pregnancy group care model on their care process. The mixed phase will focus on the degree and extent of convergence between quantitative and qualitative data. The implementation of the Centering Pregnancy group care approach is anticipated to empower women in effectively managing their diabetes during pregnancy, resulting in improved outcomes for both mothers and newborns. Furthermore, adopting this approach has the potential to alleviate the financial burden of diabetes on healthcare system. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): (IRCT20120718010324N80/ Date of registration: 2024-01-03). URL: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/74206 . Diabetes during pregnancy, whether pre-existing or gestational, can lead to complications for both the mother and the baby. Gestational diabetes is common and poses risks such as preterm birth and cesarean delivery. Pre-existing diabetes is on the rise globally and increases the likelihood of adverse outcomes like fetal death and birth defects. Centering Pregnancy is a group-based prenatal care model that offers comprehensive care to women with similar gestational ages. It promotes behavior modification, social support, and knowledge exchange among participants. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of this model specifically for women with diabetes, especially in Iran. To address this research gap, the study aims to implement and evaluate the Centering Pregnancy model in pregnant women with diabetes in Iran. By employing a combined methodology, the researchers will assess the current state of care and gather comprehensive data to understand the impact of the model. The findings of this study can contribute to improving the healthcare system’s burden and enhancing self-care practices for pregnant women with diabetes, ultimately leading to better pregnancy experiences and improved maternal and neonatal outcomes.