 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Moreen L. Libet, PhD1, Kim Y. Wells, CHES2, Carol Lau2, Roberto Garcia, BS3, and Ellen J. Stein, MD, MA, MPH3. (1) Epidemiology and Evaluation Section, California Department of Health Services, Maternal and Child Health Branch, 1615 Capitol Ave., MS 8304, P.O. Box 942732, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, (916) 650-0393, mlibet@dhs.ca.gov, (2) Maternal and Child Health Branch, California Department of Health Services, 714 P Street, Room 476, Sacramento, CA 95814, (3) Epidemiology, Evaluation & Surveillance Section, Maternal & Child Health Branch, California Department of Health Services, 714 P Street, Room 499, Sacramento, CA 95814
BACKGROUND. This study addresses the link between feelings about pregnancy, birth control use, and both prenatal and postnatal care-taking behaviors.
METHODS. Data were obtained from the California Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (MIHA). This survey is mailed 10 to 14 weeks postpartum to a random stratified sample of California women who delivered a live infant. In 2000 the response rate was 71%, with 3561 total respondents. The behavioral dependent variables were prenatal care, smoking, drinking, and folate use during pregnancy, and breastfeeding and post-hospital infant checkup and vaccination, postnatally.
RESULTS. Most women demonstrated care-taking by the indicators examined (range 99.9% for infant checkup to 81.8% for no alcohol use during pregnancy). All care-taking behaviors except infant checkup were significantly associated with intendedness and/or happiness about their pregnancy. Women who intended their pregnancy, or were very happy about it, reported the care-taking behaviors more often. Many (19%) of the mothers had not wanted their pregnancy then, and were unhappy/unsure of how they felt about it; most (73%) of those women sometimes/never used birth control in the peri-conception period.
Four years of data, multivariate analyses, and sociodemographic factors will be presented.
CONCLUSIONS. Women who intended/were happy about their pregnancy were significantly more likely to perform prenatal and postnatal care-taking behaviors. Most of the many women who were unhappy/unsure about a pregnancy that was unintended did not use birth control consistently.
IMPLICATIONS. These results have implications for efforts to increase newborn health and reduce unwanted pregnancies, including issues of personal autonomy.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Pregnancy, Maternal Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.