TY - JOUR
T1 - The physical-mental health interface in the preconception period
T2 - Analysis of 131,182 women planning pregnancy in the UK
AU - Tosh, Conor
AU - Kavanagh, Kim
AU - Flynn, Angela
AU - Stephenson, Judith
AU - White, Sara
AU - Catalão, Raquel
AU - Wilson, Claire
N1 - Funding Information:
The Tommy's Planning for Pregnancy tool and accompanying social media campaign was funded by Public Health England, Tommy's charity and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists but none had a role in data analysis or interpretation, writing of the paper or the decision to submit it for publication. Tommy's also provide salary support for ACF and SLW. CAW and RC receive salary support from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Funding Information:
The Tommy's Planning for Pregnancy tool and accompanying social media campaign was funded by Public Health England, Tommy's charity and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists but none had a role in data analysis or interpretation, writing of the paper or the decision to submit it for publication. Tommy's also provide salary support for ACF and SLW. CAW and RC receive salary support from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of all women planning pregnancy who completed the questionnaire.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2023/8
Y1 - 2023/8
N2 - Objective: The physical and mental health of women prior to conception can have a significant impact on pregnancy and child outcomes. Given the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, the aim was to explore the relation between mental health, physical health and health behaviour in women planning a pregnancy. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of responses from 131 182 women to a preconception health digital education tool, providing data on physical and mental health and health behaviour. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between mental health and physical health variables. Results: Physical health conditions were reported by 13.1% and mental health conditions by 17.8%. There was evidence for an association between self-reported physical and mental health conditions (odds ratio [OR] 2.22, 95% CI 2.14–2.3). Those with a mental health condition were less likely to engage with healthy behaviour at preconception such as folate supplementation (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.86–0.92) and consumption of the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.74–0.79). They were more likely to be physically inactive (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.11–1.18), smoke tobacco (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.66–1.78) and use illicit substances (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.25–2.55). Conclusions: Greater recognition of mental and physical comorbidities is needed and closer integration of physical and mental healthcare in the preconception period, which could support people to optimise their health during this time and improve long-term outcomes.
AB - Objective: The physical and mental health of women prior to conception can have a significant impact on pregnancy and child outcomes. Given the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, the aim was to explore the relation between mental health, physical health and health behaviour in women planning a pregnancy. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of responses from 131 182 women to a preconception health digital education tool, providing data on physical and mental health and health behaviour. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between mental health and physical health variables. Results: Physical health conditions were reported by 13.1% and mental health conditions by 17.8%. There was evidence for an association between self-reported physical and mental health conditions (odds ratio [OR] 2.22, 95% CI 2.14–2.3). Those with a mental health condition were less likely to engage with healthy behaviour at preconception such as folate supplementation (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.86–0.92) and consumption of the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.74–0.79). They were more likely to be physically inactive (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.11–1.18), smoke tobacco (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.66–1.78) and use illicit substances (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.25–2.55). Conclusions: Greater recognition of mental and physical comorbidities is needed and closer integration of physical and mental healthcare in the preconception period, which could support people to optimise their health during this time and improve long-term outcomes.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85152079845&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/1471-0528.17447
DO - 10.1111/1471-0528.17447
M3 - Article
SN - 0306-5456
VL - 130
SP - 1028
EP - 1037
JO - British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
JF - British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
IS - 9
ER -
