Health and well-being of urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women at their first antenatal visit: a cross-sectional study

Clare M Maher; Geoffrey K P Spurling; Deborah A Askew

doi:10.1111/ajo.12159

Health and well-being of urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women at their first antenatal visit: a cross-sectional study

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2014 Feb;54(1):88-90. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12159. Epub 2013 Dec 23.

Authors

Clare M Maher¹, Geoffrey K P Spurling, Deborah A Askew

Affiliation

¹ Inala Indigenous Health Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

PMID: 24359186
DOI: 10.1111/ajo.12159

Abstract

The first antenatal visit is a valuable opportunity to influence the health and well-being of the mother and child during pregnancy, birth and beyond. Our primary-care-based cross-sectional study of urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women found that 81% presented for their first antenatal visit within the first 10 weeks. Consequently, there can be up to 30 weeks in which health professionals can provide lifestyle and parenting education and psychosocial support.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; Urban; antenatal care; primary health care.

MeSH terms

Adult
Alcohol Drinking / ethnology
Australia / epidemiology
Body Mass Index
Chlamydia Infections / ethnology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Behavior
Health Status*
Humans
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander*
Parity
Pregnancy
Prenatal Care*
Smoking / ethnology
Urban Population
Vitamins / therapeutic use
Young Adult

Substances

Vitamins