ADIPS Poster Presentation Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and Society of Obstetric Medicine Australia and New Zealand Joint Scientific Meeting 2025

Beyond the Clinic: Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and communities in the Northern Territory to Prevent Diabetes in Pregnancy (#138)

Norlisha Bartlett 1 , Sherelle Khan 1 , Kim Martin 1 , Tara Dias 1 , Jessica Phillips 2 , Jodie Satour 3 , Kathy Janse Van Nieuwenhuizen 3 , Jacqueline Boyle 4 , David McIntyre 5 , Heather D'Antoine 6 , Karla Canuto 7 , Renae Kirkham 1 , Louise Maple-Brown 1 8 , Diana MacKay 1 8
  1. Menzies School of Health Research, Tiwi, NT, Australia
  2. Community Wellness Centre, Womens Cultural Support Hub, Mala'la Health Aboriginal Corporation, Maningrida, NT, Australia
  3. Social Emotional Wellbeing, Health Services Division, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Alice Springs, NT, Australia
  4. Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne , VIC, Australia
  5. Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, Mater Research, University of Queensland , Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  6. Nexgen Hub (Ochre), University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  7. College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  8. Department of Endocrinology, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT, Ausralia

Diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) is a driver of the intergenerational diabetes epidemic affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Culturally appropriate strategies founded on strong community engagement are essential to address this crisis. We implemented co-designed strategies between 2024 and 2025 in two Northern Territory sites, Alice Springs and Maningrida.   

Strategies aligned with the Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) frameworks of their respective Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs). In Alice Springs, this structure was already well-established, whereas in Maningrida this developed as the SEWB structure was being formed. Each site also employed an Aboriginal female project officer.

Both sites successfully implemented regular health education sessions held outside the clinic. In Alice Springs, 33 sessions were facilitated by Aboriginal women. In Maningrida, women selected topics and invited outreach services, including the diabetes educator and dietitian, to co-facilitate 32 sessions alongside a local facilitator who also interpreted in local language.

In Maningrida, feedback was provided throughout implementation through workshops with groups of women and later via the Maningrida Healthy Women’s Advisory Group. In Alice Springs, women contributed one-on-one feedback directly to the facilitators. This input enabled sessions to be adapted in line with women’s priorities.

The co-design process ensured that engagement strategies were informed by local women, with success demonstrated through engagement of over 200 participants.  One participant shared how “…this project has given a voice to the women in our community.” We demonstrated effective strategies for meaningful community engagement and culturally relevant health education, ultimately supporting DIP prevention.