TY - GEN A1 - Obongo, Angela A1 - Tallarek, Marie A1 - Spallek, Jacob T1 - Determinants of access to and use of gestational diabetes mellitus services in Kenya: a multimethod case study protocol T2 - BMJ Open N2 - Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a growing public health issue in many low and middle-income countries (LMICs), making up about 90% of the global burden of GDM. Additionally, LMICs' healthcare systems are already overwhelmed by the prevalence of communicable diseases. It is crucial to understand the patterns of GDM in sub-Saharan African countries. Early detection, lifestyle and medication interventions, regular prenatal visits and effective postpartum management can help avert the future development of type 2 diabetes. GDM services present opportunities for preventive and treatment strategies for women with GDM. However, various factors contribute to challenges and obstacles in accessing GDM services, particularly suboptimal postpartum screening and follow-up. This study aims to investigate the societal and healthcare factors that facilitate or hinder access to and use of GDM services, as well as the factors that promote or obstruct the management and treatment of GDM, in Kenya, using a postcolonial theoretical approach. KW - diabetes in pregnancy KW - health services accessibility KW - public health Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074916 SN - 2044-6055 VL - 13 IS - 12 ER -