Women participating in a web-based preconception study have a high prevalence of risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes

Abstract

BackgroundAdverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) can be increased by preconception risk factors and lifestyles.We measured the prevalence of preconception risk factors for APOs in a population of Italian women of childbearing age enrolled in a web-based study.MethodsParticipants were enrolled through a web platform (http://www.mammainforma.it). After enrollment, participants filled in a questionnaire regarding socio-demographic characteristics, clinical data and preconception risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Through logistic regression, we explored how the prevalence of risk factors was affected by age, education level, employment, parity, physician’s recommendation and knowledge of the specific risk factor.ResultsWe enrolled a total of 728 women. Sixty-two percent had a University degree, 84% were employed and 77% were planning their first pregnancy.Nearly 70% drank alcohol in any quantity; 16% were smokers; 6% was underweight; 21.4% was overweight; 51.6% did not assume folic acid; 22% was susceptible to rubella, 44.5% to hepatitis b and 13.2% to varicella.According to the multivariate analysis, compared to women who already had at least one pregnancy, nulliparous women had a higher BMI [OR 1.60 (CI 1.02;2.48)] and were less likely to be susceptible to rubella [OR 0.33 (CI 0.20;0.58)] and to be consuming alcohol [OR 0.47 (CI 0.31;0.70)] or cigarettes [OR 0.48 (CI 0.26;0.90)].Appropriate knowledge was associated with a correct behavior regarding smoking, drinking alcohol and folic acid supplementation.ConclusionsThis study shows that the prevalence of risk factors for APOs in our population is high.Interventions aimed at reducing risk factors for APOs are needed and, to this purpose, a web intervention may represent a feasible tool to integrate tailored information and to inform preconception counseling targeting a specific group of women planning a pregnancy who are engaged on the web.

Patterns and Determinants of Preconception Health Behaviors in Iranian Women

“…In the present study, the mean score of knowledge about pre-pregnancy behaviors was high. The highest score of knowledge was related to the use of folic acid; this result was similar to that reported in the study by Pandolfi (31). A positive correlation between knowledge score and use of folic acid was also found in this study.…”

Influenza during pregnancy: Incidence, vaccination coverage and attitudes toward vaccination in the French web-based cohort G-GrippeNet

“…In pregnant women and women who plan a pregnancy, several web-based studies have already been undertaken, mainly focusing on pre-conception risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes [43][44][45][46][47]. Regarding influenza, only one annual transversal web-based survey is conducted each year since 2010/2011 in the USA to assess vaccination coverage among pregnant women [35,48].…”

“…This rate was higher in women older than 40 years (RR = 3.0, 95%CI [1.1-8.3], p = 0.03) and during first/second trimesters compared to third trimester (RR = 4.0, 95%CI [1.4-12.0], p = 0.01). Crude vaccination coverage was 39% (95%CI, [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] and weighted vaccination coverage was estimated at 26% (95%CI, [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Health care provider recommendation for vaccination (corrected OR = 7.8; 95%CI [3.0-17.1]) and non-smoking status (cOR = 2.1; 95%CI [1.2-6.9]) were associated with higher vaccine uptake.…”

Coverage and outcomes of antenatal tests for infections: a population based survey in the Province of Trento, Italy

“…Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for lack of testing in pregnancy according to selected covariates a . values in the North than in the South [4][5][6][7][8][9]. At the international level, 27 EU/EEA countries reported 38,847 cases of rubella, with 12.6% cases in females [2].…”