Social determinants of maternal self-rated health in South Western Sydney, Australia.
BACKGROUND
From 2000 a routine survey of mothers with newborn infants was commenced in South Western Sydney. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship of maternal self-rated health, as a measure of well-being, to various socio-demographic factors including measures of social capital, country of birth, financial status and employment.


RESULTS
The sample consisted of 23,534 mothers who delivered in South Western Sydney between 2004 and 2006. The data were collected as part of a routine post-partum assessment at 2-4 weeks postpartum. We examined the relationship of self-rated health with socio-demographic variables using binary logistic regression. Worse self-rated health was reported in 4% of women. Variables which were found to be significantly associated with worse self-rated health were: poor financial situation, public housing accommodation, fathers employment, no car access, unplanned pregnancy, maternal smoking, poor emotional and social support, and motherhood being more difficult than expected.


CONCLUSIONS
We confirmed the importance of social disadvantage and social isolation as independent risk factors for poor self-reported health. The findings reported here provide further justification for public health interventions which increase support for socially excluded mothers and strengthen their connection to their community.
Katie J
KJ
Morgan
School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia. John.eastwood@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
John G
JG
Eastwood
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D004651:Employment; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013383:Suburban Population