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Background: The postpartum period is a critical time to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal women, particularly for those who have chronic conditions. Aims: To assess enhanced support methods (for women following diabetes in pregnancy (DIP)) to improve completion rates of recommended postpartum health checks. Materials and Methods: Fifty‐three Aboriginal women in the Northern Territory (NT) were contacted in the postpartum period to encourage medical check‐ups. Messages were delivered through phone (call or text messages) or other methods (Facebook or email). The primary outcome was postpartum blood glucose testing (oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT), random or fasting glucose and HbA1c). Results: Establishing contact with women was difficult. Of 137 messages sent to 52 women, 22 responded (42%). Phone was the most common contact method with successful contact made from 16 of 119 (13%) attempts. Rates of postpartum OGTT completion were higher in the group successfully contacted (32% vs 7%). However, for any postpartum glucose testing (including OGTT and HbA1c) rates were 25 of 42 (60%) and neither success in making contact nor the contact method was associated with higher rates. Conclusions: The small sample size limits our conclusions; however, results highlight that engaging remote women postpartum is difficult. While rates of postpartum OGTT completion differed according to successful contacts, rates of any postpartum blood glucose testing did not. Further research is needed to explore feasible intervention methods to improve postpartum screening after a pregnancy complicated by diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issues Addressed Methods Results Conclusions So What? In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in remote settings are most‐affected by young onset type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is necessary to understand young people's experiences, including factors impacting on self‐management, to improve models of care.A phenomenological methodology underpinned this qualitative study in Western Australia's Kimberley region. Two Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services supported recruitment of seven Aboriginal young people aged 12–24 with T2D, who participated in interviews. A carer and health professional of one young person in each site were also interviewed and relevant medical record data reviewed to assist with triangulation of data. De‐identified transcripts were inductively coded and a coding structure developed with oversight by a Kimberley Aboriginal researcher.Young people reported varied experiences and emotions relating to a T2D diagnosis. Most recounted this was upsetting and some reported current negative impact on emotional wellbeing. Challenges with understanding and managing diabetes were highlighted, particularly regarding healthy eating, physical activity and medication. Family are a prominent source of self‐management support, with the intergenerational impact of diabetes being evident for each participant. Positive relationships with health professionals, entailing continuity of care, were valued.There are significant emotional and medical challenges for young people with T2D and their families. Recommendations from this work will contribute to the development of local resources and initiatives to improve diabetes‐related support.Alongside broader efforts to support good health at the societal level, enhanced health education and family‐oriented support structures including Aboriginal clinical staff for young people with T2D are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]