Diabetes Contraception and Pre-pregnancy Program (DCAPP)

Background

High rates of congenital malformations exist in South Western Sydney in women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (11% in Campbelltown and 6.8% in Liverpool compared with the background rate of 2%).  The Diabetes Contraception and Pre-pregnancy Program (DCAPP) has been designed to develop a more integrated approach supporting women of childbearing age (<50 years) with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Programmes implemented elsewhere have reduced the rates of congenital malformations, miscarriage and stillbirths by up to 70% encouraging us to use the similar approaches.

DCAPP

Western Sydney University in partnership with South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) and South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) are working together to implement the DCAPP program. This program aims to raise awareness of risk of unplanned pregnancy and contraception methods in health care professionals (HCPs) and women of childbearing age with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, while providing easy access to best practice pre-pregnancy care for women who have decided to become pregnant. It is estimated that serious malformations can be prevented each year in South Western Sydney, improving the lives of the families concerned and saving $10m of lifetime costs.