Journal article
Association Between Pregnancy Intention and Reproductive-health Related Behaviors Before and After Pregnancy Recognition, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2002
Maternal and child health journal, Vol.14(3), pp.373-381
02/28/2009
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-009-0458-1
PMID: 19252975
Abstract
Objectives
Given that approximately half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, the authors sought to understand the relation between pregnancy intention and health behaviors.
Methods
Mothers of live-born infants without major birth defects were interviewed as part of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. The interview assessed pregnancy intention as well as exposures to vitamins, alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, occupational hazards, exogenous heat (e.g., hot tubs and saunas) and caffeine. Crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and stratified analyses were performed to assess interaction. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios.
Results
Both before and after the diagnosis of pregnancy, women with unintended pregnancies were more likely to use illicit drugs, smoke, be exposed to environmental smoke, and not take folic acid or multivitamins. The degree to which women altered behaviors after they realized they were pregnant was also associated with their pregnancy intention status. For certain behaviors, maternal age or parity altered the association between pregnancy intention and changing behaviors after awareness of pregnancy.
Conclusion
Pregnancy intention status is a key determinant of pregnancy-related behavior. To improve reproductive outcomes, preconceptional and prenatal programs should consider a woman’s desire for pregnancy.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Association Between Pregnancy Intention and Reproductive-health Related Behaviors Before and After Pregnancy Recognition, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2002
- Creators
- Mary Dott - Preventive Medicine Residency, Office of Workforce and Career Development, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionSonja A Rasmussen - National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCarol J Hogue - Rollins School of Public Health, Emory UniversityJennita Reefhuis - National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionNational Birth Defects Prevention Study
- Contributors
- Paul A Romitti (Contributor) - University of Iowa, Epidemiology
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Maternal and child health journal, Vol.14(3), pp.373-381
- Publisher
- Springer US
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10995-009-0458-1
- PMID
- 19252975
- ISSN
- 1092-7875
- eISSN
- 1573-6628
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/28/2009
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Biostatistics
- Record Identifier
- 9984214803502771
Metrics
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