Self-rated health in Swedish pregnant women : a comprehensive population register study

• Background/Aims: Sociodemographic factors are associated with perceived overall health status or ‘self-rated health’. However, research using data from the comprehensive population register in Sweden to examine self-rated health in pregnant women is limited. This study aimed to examine sociodemographic factors associated with self-rated health before, during and after pregnancy in low-risk pregnant women, based on comprehensive population register data in Sweden.  Methods:  This was a retrospective analysis of the Swedish pregnancy register (Graviditets registret). Data from 167523 women were tested with group comparisons and ordinal regression analyses.  Results:  Women between the ages of 25 and 29 years and primiparas were less likely to self-rate their health lower.Women born outside Scandinavia, those whose education did not reach university level, jobseekers, those on parental leave and students were more likely to report lower self-rated health. Women with risky behaviours, such as alcohol consumption and those who smoked and/or snuffed were more likely to report lower self-rated health.  Conclusions:  The findings indicate that preventive and health promoting actions in the midwifery profession should build on awareness of possible associated sociodemographic factors.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Maternal healthcare

Ordinal regression

Self-rated health

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)