title: Prevalence of maternal preconception risk factors: an Italian multicenter survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adequate preconception maternal health care is essential to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy outcomes and complications. Still, many women are exposed to a number of unhealthy risk factors both before and early in pregnancy. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of a number of important preconception risk factors using data from a recent multicenter study in Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was based on cross-sectional data from seven maternity clinics located in six different regions in Italy during the period January - June, 2012. Data on maternal preconception risk factors and characteristics were collected from 1,892 women who delivered healthy children and 320 women who were pregnant in the first trimester.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 97% of the women (n =2,212) were exposed to one or more preconception risk factors. The overall prevalence of the most essential maternal risk factors was as follows: 41% had a age ≥35 years, 36% mistimed or did not intend their pregnancy, 58% did not request a preconception health visit to their doctor, 76% did not use folic acid supplements before pregnancy, 26% smoked at the last menstrual period, 19% had a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 before pregnancy, and 10% suffered from pregestational chronic diseases. The prevalence of certain variables varied between the maternity clinics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many Italian women are exposed to a number of preconception risk factors that have been associated with adverse pregnancy complications and outcomes. More effective intervention programs to improve preconception health in Italian women are strongly needed.
authors.forename: Pierpaolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mastroiacovo
authors.forename: Roy M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Nilsen
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leoncini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gastaldi
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Allegri
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boiani
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Faravelli
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrazzoli
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guala
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Madrigali
authors.forename: Gioacchino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scarano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D008875:Middle Aged; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid