American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 199, Issue 1 , Pages 64.e1-64.e7, July 2008

Perceived risk of preterm and low-birthweight birth in the Central Pennsylvania Women's Health Study

Presented in part at the Society of General Internal Medicine Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting, Hershey, PA, March 10, 2006.

  • Cynthia H. Chuang, MD, MSc

      Affiliations

    • Division of General Internal Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
    • Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprints: Cynthia H. Chuang, MD, MSc, Penn State College of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, HU15, 500 University Drive, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033.
    • ,
  • Michael J. Green, MD, MS

      Affiliations

    • Division of General Internal Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
    • Department of Humanities, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA.
    • ,
  • Gary A. Chase, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
    • ,
  • Anne-Marie Dyer, MS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
    • ,
  • Serdar H. Ural, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
    • ,
  • Carol S. Weisman, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA

Received 20 July 2007; received in revised form 25 September 2007; accepted 18 December 2007. published online 06 May 2008.

Objective

Engaging women in preconception prevention may be challenging if at-risk women do not perceive increased risk. This study examined predictors of perceiving increased risk for preterm/low birthweight birth.

Study Design

Using the Central Pennsylvania Women's Health Study, a population-based sample of reproductive-age women, we analyzed whether sociodemographics, health and pregnancy history, health behaviors, attitudes, or health care utilization predicted risk perception of preterm/low-birthweight birth.

Results

Of the 645 women analyzed, 157 (24%) estimated their risk of preterm/low-birthweight birth to be very or somewhat likely. Higher perceived risk was associated with being underweight, previous preterm/low-birthweight birth, having a mother with previous preterm/low-birthweight birth, lower perceived severity of preterm/low birthweight, and smoking.

Conclusions

Several factors known to predict preterm/low birthweight did influence risk perception in this study, whereas others did not. Further research on how these factors have an impact on participation in preconception care programs is warranted.

Key words: adverse pregnancy outcome, low birthweight, preterm birth, risk perception

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 30.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 The Central Pennsylvania Women's Health Study is funded in part by Grant 4100020719 from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. C.H.C. is supported by Grant K23HD051634 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.The Pennsylvania Department of Health specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations, or conclusions presented herein.Cite this article as: Chuang CH, Green MJ, Chase GA, et al. Perceived risk of preterm and low-birthweight birth in the Central Pennsylvania Women's Health Study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;199:64.e1-64.e7.

PII: S0002-9378(07)02288-0

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2007.12.018

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 199, Issue 1 , Pages 64.e1-64.e7, July 2008

Article Tools