title: Why are young Canadians afraid of birth? A survey study of childbirth fear and birth preferences among Canadian University students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to examine attitudes towards birth that may be common among young adults who have been socialised into a medicalised birth culture. Specifically, we were interested in examining factors that might be associated with fear of birth and preferences for elective obstetric interventions among the next generation of maternity care consumers.
  
  
  METHODS
  secondary analysis of an online survey of university students.
  
  
  METHODS
  British Columbia, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  students from the University of British Columbia (n=3680). A quarter of the sample comprised Asian students, which allowed for analysis of cultural differences in attitudes towards birth. Both male and female students participated in the study; results are reported for the full sample, and by gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  a six item fear of childbirth scale was developed, as well as a 4 item index that measures students' concerns over physical changes following pregnancy and birth and a 2 item scale that assesses students' attitudes towards obstetric technology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  as we hypothesised, students who were more fearful of birth preferred epidural anaesthesia and birth by CS. Worries over physical changes following pregnancy and birth, favourable attitudes towards obstetric technology, and exposure to pregnancy and birth information via the media were also significantly associated with a preference for CS. Fear of birth scores were highest among students who reported that the media had shaped their attitudes towards pregnancy and birth. Asian students had significantly higher fear of birth scores and were more likely to prefer CS, compared to Caucasian students.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  young adults are contemplating pregnancy and birth in an increasingly technology-dependent society. Educational programmes aimed at reducing fear of childbirth and concerns over physical changes following pregnancy and childbirth might contribute to vaginal birth intentions among young adults. Midwives may use the findings to identify and counsel nulliparas who exhibit fear of birth and other childbirth attitudes that may predispose them to choose elective obstetric interventions.
authors: Division of Midwifery, University of British Columbia, B54-2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3. Electronic address: kathrin.stoll@midwifery.ubc.ca.
authors: Kathrin
authors: K
authors: Stoll
authors: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, T201 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 2B5. Electronic address: Wendy.Hall@nursing.ubc.ca.
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Hall
authors: School of Population & Public Health, University of British Columbia, Rm 103, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3. Electronic address: patti.janssen@ubc.ca.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Janssen
authors: Division of Midwifery, University of British Columbia, B54-2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3.
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Carty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001955:British Columbia; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011594:Psychometrics; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Caesarean section; Fear of birth; Media; University students