Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours surrounding preconception and pregnancy health: an Australian cross-sectional survey.

Musgrave, L; Homer, C; Gordon, A

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours surrounding preconception and pregnancy health: an Australian cross-sectional survey.

Musgrave, L

Homer, C

Gordon, A

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Publisher:: BMJ
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMJ Open, 2023, 13, (1), pp. e065055
Issue Date:: 2023-01-03

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Musgrave, L https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1337-092X
dc.contributor.author	Homer, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011
dc.contributor.author	Gordon, A
dc.date.accessioned	2023-09-04T05:49:03Z
dc.date.available	2023-09-04T05:49:03Z
dc.date.issued	2023-01-03
dc.identifier.citation	BMJ Open, 2023, 13, (1), pp. e065055
dc.identifier.issn	2044-6055
dc.identifier.issn	2044-6055
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/171898
dc.description.abstract	OBJECTIVE: To understand Australian women's knowledge, attitudes and behaviours surrounding preconception and pregnancy health and their preferences for information about these periods. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Making healthy changes can optimise preconception and pregnancy outcomes. Clinical practice guidelines inform preconception and pregnancy care in Australia. Women often have access to multiple sources of information on reproductive and pregnancy health. PARTICIPANTS: Women of reproductive age were asked to complete a web-based survey. The survey development was informed by preconception guidelines, consensus statements and the national pregnancy care guidelines. The survey was distributed through social media, local and national networks from 2017 to 2018. RESULTS: Completed surveys were received from 553 women.The majority (80.4%) had high educational attainment. Checking immunisation status and ensuring good mental health were rated as equally important actions both preconception (65%) and during pregnancy (78%). Limiting sedentary activities was not rated as an important action to take either preconception (36%), or during pregnancy (38%). Although women have good knowledge about the impact of weight on their own health outcomes (eg, gestational diabetes), there was less knowledge about adverse outcomes for babies like stillbirth and preterm birth. Women access many sources for reproductive health information, however, the most trusted source was from healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: Most women of reproductive age in Australia have knowledge of the key health recommendations for preconception and pregnancy. However, there are gaps related to lifestyle behaviours particularly connected to weight gain and outcomes for babies. There is a strong preference to receive trusted information from healthcare providers through multiple resources.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	BMJ
dc.relation.ispartof	BMJ Open
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065055
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	42 Health sciences
dc.subject.classification	52 Psychology
dc.subject.mesh	Infant, Newborn
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Preconception Care
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Premature Birth
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy Outcome
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Premature Birth
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy Outcome
dc.subject.mesh	Preconception Care
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Infant, Newborn
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Infant, Newborn
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Preconception Care
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Premature Birth
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy Outcome
dc.title	Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours surrounding preconception and pregnancy health: an Australian cross-sectional survey.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	13
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Midwifery
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-09-04T05:49:00Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	13
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To understand Australian women's knowledge, attitudes and behaviours surrounding preconception and pregnancy health and their preferences for information about these periods. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Making healthy changes can optimise preconception and pregnancy outcomes. Clinical practice guidelines inform preconception and pregnancy care in Australia. Women often have access to multiple sources of information on reproductive and pregnancy health. PARTICIPANTS: Women of reproductive age were asked to complete a web-based survey. The survey development was informed by preconception guidelines, consensus statements and the national pregnancy care guidelines. The survey was distributed through social media, local and national networks from 2017 to 2018. RESULTS: Completed surveys were received from 553 women.The majority (80.4%) had high educational attainment. Checking immunisation status and ensuring good mental health were rated as equally important actions both preconception (65%) and during pregnancy (78%). Limiting sedentary activities was not rated as an important action to take either preconception (36%), or during pregnancy (38%). Although women have good knowledge about the impact of weight on their own health outcomes (eg, gestational diabetes), there was less knowledge about adverse outcomes for babies like stillbirth and preterm birth. Women access many sources for reproductive health information, however, the most trusted source was from healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: Most women of reproductive age in Australia have knowledge of the key health recommendations for preconception and pregnancy. However, there are gaps related to lifestyle behaviours particularly connected to weight gain and outcomes for babies. There is a strong preference to receive trusted information from healthcare providers through multiple resources.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/171898