Clara Christine Mosborg Petersen1, Rebecca Elisabeth Qwist Bilbo1, Trine Damsted Rasmussen2, Claus Thorn Ekstrøm3, Sarah Fredsted Villadsen4. 1. Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oester Farimagsgade 5, Post box 2099, 1014, Copenhagen K, Denmark. 2. Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oester Farimagsgade 5, Post box 2099, 1014, Copenhagen K, Denmark. 3. Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oester Farimagsgade 5, Post box 2099, 1014, Copenhagen K, Denmark. 4. Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oester Farimagsgade 5, Post box 2099, 1014, Copenhagen K, Denmark. sfv@sund.ku.dk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Ethnic differences in perinatal morbidity and mortality are starting points for social inequality in health. Increased incidence and severity of some pregnancy complications are found among immigrant women compared to ethnic majority women in high-income settings. However, little is known about immigrant women's assessment and management of warning signs. We aimed to assess women's knowledge about how to manage warning signs of pregnancy complications among immigrants and their descendants compared to women of Danish origin. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including phone-based interviews with 1899 women. Women were interviewed during gestational week 30-37 in one of six languages. Maternal ethnicity was categorized as; immigrants, their descendants and ethnic Danes. The outcomes were yes or no to; do you know what to do if you experience 1) sudden swelling, redness, and heat in one leg 2) severe headache and 3) vaginal bleeding. RESULTS: Immigrant women had lower levels of knowledge about how to manage all three types of warning signs of pregnancy complications compared to women of Danish origin. Adjusted OR for vaginal bleeding for women of European (4.33, 95% CI: 2.24-8.37), Asian (9.26, 95% CI: 5.10-16.83) and African (8.66, 95% CI: 3.26-23.05) origin. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Immigrant women had lower levels of knowledge about how to manage warning signs of pregnancy complications compared to women of Danish origin. Improved needs-based health education in pregnancy complications and body symptoms during antenatal care is needed to address delays in the management of complications and could potentially improve the health of women and children.
OBJECTIVES: Ethnic differences in perinatal morbidity and mortality are starting points for social inequality in health. Increased incidence and severity of some pregnancy complications are found among immigrant women compared to ethnic majority women in high-income settings. However, little is known about immigrant women's assessment and management of warning signs. We aimed to assess women's knowledge about how to manage warning signs of pregnancy complications among immigrants and their descendants compared to women of Danish origin. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including phone-based interviews with 1899 women. Women were interviewed during gestational week 30-37 in one of six languages. Maternal ethnicity was categorized as; immigrants, their descendants and ethnic Danes. The outcomes were yes or no to; do you know what to do if you experience 1) sudden swelling, redness, and heat in one leg 2) severe headache and 3) vaginal bleeding. RESULTS: Immigrant women had lower levels of knowledge about how to manage all three types of warning signs of pregnancy complications compared to women of Danish origin. Adjusted OR for vaginal bleeding for women of European (4.33, 95% CI: 2.24-8.37), Asian (9.26, 95% CI: 5.10-16.83) and African (8.66, 95% CI: 3.26-23.05) origin. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Immigrant women had lower levels of knowledge about how to manage warning signs of pregnancy complications compared to women of Danish origin. Improved needs-based health education in pregnancy complications and body symptoms during antenatal care is needed to address delays in the management of complications and could potentially improve the health of women and children.
Authors: Julia Kadin Funge; Mathilde Christine Boye; Helle Johnsen; Marie Nørredam Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-07 Impact factor: 3.390