Preconception health indicators: a comparison between non-Appalachian and Appalachian women.
To compare preconception health indicators (PCHIs) among non-pregnant women aged 18-44 years residing in Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties in 13 U.S. states. Data from the 1997-2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to estimate the prevalence of PCHIs among women in states with ≥1 Appalachian county. Counties were classified as Appalachian (n = 36,496 women) or non-Appalachian (n = 88,312 women) and Appalachian counties were categorized according to economic status. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models examined differences in PCHIs among women by (1) Appalachian residence, and (2) economic classification. Appalachian women were younger, lower income, and more often white and married compared to women in non-Appalachia. Appalachian women had significantly higher odds of reporting <high school education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.19, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.10-1.29), fair/poor health (AOR 1.14, 95 % CI 1.06-1.22), no health insurance (AOR 1.12, 95 % CI 1.05-1.19), no annual checkup (AOR 1.12, 95 % CI 1.04-1.20), no recent Pap test (AOR 1.20, 95 % CI 1.08-1.33), smoking (AOR 1.08, 95 % CI 1.03-1.14), <5 daily fruits/vegetables (AOR 1.11, 95 % CI 1.02-1.21), and overweight/obesity (AOR 1.05, 95 % CI 1.01-1.09). Appalachian women in counties with weaker economies had significantly higher odds of reporting less education, no health insurance, <5 daily fruits/vegetables, overweight/obesity, and poor mental health compared to Appalachian women in counties with the strongest economies. For many PCHIs, Appalachian women did not fare as well as non-Appalachians. Interventions sensitive to Appalachian culture to improve preconception health may be warranted for this population.
Mississippi State Department of Health, Jackson, MS, USA.
Vanessa L
VL
Short
Reena
R
Oza-Frank
Elizabeth J
EJ
Conrey
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001061:Appalachian Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D016742:Preconception Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult