Association between pregnancy intention and reproductive-health related behaviors before and after pregnancy recognition, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2002.
OBJECTIVE
Given that approximately half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, the authors sought to understand the relation between pregnancy intention and health behaviors.


METHODS
Mothers of live-born infants without major birth defects were interviewed as part of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. The interview assessed pregnancy intention as well as exposures to vitamins, alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, occupational hazards, exogenous heat (e.g., hot tubs and saunas) and caffeine. Crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and stratified analyses were performed to assess interaction. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios.


RESULTS
Both before and after the diagnosis of pregnancy, women with unintended pregnancies were more likely to use illicit drugs, smoke, be exposed to environmental smoke, and not take folic acid or multivitamins. The degree to which women altered behaviors after they realized they were pregnant was also associated with their pregnancy intention status. For certain behaviors, maternal age or parity altered the association between pregnancy intention and changing behaviors after awareness of pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy intention status is a key determinant of pregnancy-related behavior. To improve reproductive outcomes, preconceptional and prenatal programs should consider a woman's desire for pregnancy.
Dott
Mary
M
Preventive Medicine Residency, Office of Workforce and Career Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS E-92, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. mdott@cdc.gov
Rasmussen
Sonja A
SA
Hogue
Carol J
CJ
Reefhuis
Jennita
J
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D008423:Maternal Age; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011258:Pregnancy Tests / Q000523:psychology*; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned / Q000523:psychology; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D018456:Reproductive Medicine; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014815:Vitamins