Residential mobility in a cohort of primiparous women during pregnancy and post-partum.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the residential mobility rate in a population of pregnant women expecting their first baby.


METHODS
We verified residential mobility in a cohort of 585 primiparous Australian women who were enrolled in late pregnancy and had participated in a randomised controlled trial and followed-up to at least 16 weeks post-partum.


RESULTS
We found a residential mobility rate of 19%. Movers and non-movers differed by socio-demographic factors, with movers more likely be younger, relative risk (RR)=2.14 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41-3.13), and not living with a partner RR=2.46 (95% CI 1.60-3.77).


CONCLUSIONS
Most prospective epidemiological studies can expect some attrition in the study population. The family formation period is acknowledged as a highly mobile time and this mobility may contribute to loss to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Researchers planning prospective studies in pregnant populations should consider the impact of residential mobility, especially differential mobility, and implement strategies to reduce attrition and optimise response rates.
Raynes-Greenow
Camille H
CH
Perinatal Research, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. camiller@med.usyd.edu.au
Nassar
Natasha
N
Roberts
Christine L
CL
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003710:Demography; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D018579:Patient Selection; D018743:Perinatal Care; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012306:Risk; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires