Health of mothers with intellectual limitations.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the health status of mothers with intellectual limitations.


METHODS
The health status of 50 mothers with intellectual limitations in metropolitan Sydney was assessed during the baseline assessment phase of a randomised controlled trial of a parent education program.


RESULTS
Self-reported maternal health was significantly worse than women's health in the Australian population. Controlling for socio-economic status, mothers' health remained significantly worse on four of the eight subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that mothers with intellectual limitations are particularly at risk for poor health status. An urgent need exists for policy and service initiatives to address the health status of this group of vulnerable mothers.
Llewellyn
Gwynnyth
G
School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences, University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825. g.llewellyn@fhs.usyd.edu.au
McConnell
David
D
Mayes
Rachel
R
D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers; D009517:New South Wales; D010298:Parity; D012923:Social Class; D014505:Urban Population