Carina Sparud Lundin*, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Agneta Ranerup, Department of applied IT, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Marie Berg, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Track: Research Presentation Topic: Health information on the web: Supply and Demand Presentation Type: Poster presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: LKSC Conference Center Stanford Room: Lower Lobby Date: 2011-09-18 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM Last modified: 2011-08-12

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Background
During the childbearing period, women use the internet both to seek information and communicate. For women with type 1 diabetes, pregnancy and breastfeeding constitute a much more complex situation than for women in general. This implies a great need for support from care providers and relatives. One way of bridging discontinuity in care, particularly in early motherhood, would be to develop a web application that provides complementary interactive support and information. By applying a user-centered approach, the objective of this study was to explore internet use, needs and expectations of childbearing support in women with type 1 diabetes.
Methods
Data were collected via a web-based survey with an explorative and descriptive design, in which 139 eligible mothers with type 1 diabetes, giving birth at one hospital in Sweden between 2007-2009, were asked for participation. Data were analyzed with descriptive and analytical statistics, and open answers with a directed content analysis.
Results
Of the 105 women who completed the questionnaire, 22% never used the internet to search for information concerning pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood. 12 % searched for information every day, 29% one or more times a week, and 38% one or more times a month. 44 % of the women declared themselves to be passive participants on social websites, and 45% to be active participants. 45 % had specific expectations of web-based support directed towards childbearing, especially those with higher educational level (P=.01). The web-based support were suggested to include expert-controlled website with reliable, up-to-date information focused on childbearing and diabetes and bi-directional communication with care providers to receive more available support. Participants also asked for online technical devices to interact with their care provider in order to manage, transfer and evaluate the frequent monitoring of blood glucose during pregnancy. Informal, emotional, and appraisal support by bi-directional online communication with women in similar situations was suggested as a way to provide a place of belonging.
Conclusions
Our results contribute important details about the web-based needs of childbearing women with type 1 diabetes. This consumer directed study indicates specific areas of development for the provision of effective web-based support that includes facilities for medical informatics, interactive support and social networking in this population.