The Health, Wellbeing and Health Service Use of Women Attempting or Planning Pregnancy: A Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Survey of Australian Women
6 affiliations
- 1School of Public Health, Faculty of Health University of Technology Sydney Ultimo New South Wales Australia
- 2National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health Southern Cross University Lismore New South Wales Australia
- 3School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine University of Southampton Southampton UK
- 4MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre University of Southampton Southampton UK
- 5NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Southampton UK
- 6School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health The University of Sydney Sydney Australia
Abstract
Background: Health and wellbeing during the preconception period influence maternal and child health outcomes. We describe the sociodemographic and health characteristics of Australian women currently attempting pregnancy or planning to conceive in the next 12 months, compared with other women of reproductive age, to identify opportunities for preconception care.
Methods: A sub‐analysis of survey data obtained in 2022 that included 874 responses from females aged 18–49 years was conducted. Socio‐demographic characteristics, health and wellbeing status, and health service utilization data were described according to pregnancy intention.
Results: Of 874 women, 64 (7.4%) reported currently attempting pregnancy and 45 (5.2%) reported planning to become pregnant in the next 12 months. Both groups of women were married or in a de facto relationship. Women who were planning to become pregnant were aged 25–34 years (71.1%) compared to 18–24 years (20.0%) or aged 35 years or older (8.9%). They were also more likely to consult a chiropractor (OR 1.5). Women currently trying to conceive were less likely to not be in the paid workforce (OR 0.34) compared to working full time. They were also less likely to be using prescription‐only pharmaceuticals (OR 0.30) and more likely to be consulting a Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner (OR 2.66) or a dietician (OR 2.11).
Conclusion: The findings of this study can be used for informing health service planning and policy that takes a whole‐of‐health‐system approach when designing preconception health primary care interventions.
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BibTeX
@article{steel2026health,
title = {{The Health, Wellbeing and Health Service Use of Women Attempting or Planning Pregnancy: A Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Survey of Australian Women}},
author = {Amie Steel and Danielle Schoenaker and Joanna Harnett and Jon Adams},
journal = {Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1111/birt.70088},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.70088},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Health, Wellbeing and Health Service Use of Women Attempting or Planning Pregnancy: A Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Survey of Australian Women
AU - Amie Steel
AU - Danielle Schoenaker
AU - Joanna Harnett
AU - Jon Adams
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/25
JO - Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)
DO - 10.1111/birt.70088
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.70088
AB - Background: Health and wellbeing during the preconception period influence maternal and child health outcomes. We describe the sociodemographic and health characteristics of Australian women currently attempting pregnancy or planning to conceive in the next 12 months, compared with other women of reproductive age, to identify opportunities for preconception care. Methods: A sub‐analysis of survey data obtained in 2022 that included 874 responses from females aged 18–49 years was conducted. Socio‐demographic characteristics, health and wellbeing status, and health service utilization data were described according to pregnancy intention. Results: Of 874 women, 64 (7.4%) reported currently attempting pregnancy and 45 (5.2%) reported planning to become pregnant in the next 12 months. Both groups of women were married or in a de facto relationship. Women who were planning to become pregnant were aged 25–34 years (71.1%) compared to 18–24 years (20.0%) or aged 35 years or older (8.9%). They were also more likely to consult a chiropractor (OR 1.5). Women currently trying to conceive were less likely to not be in the paid workforce (OR 0.34) compared to working full time. They were also less likely to be using prescription‐only pharmaceuticals (OR 0.30) and more likely to be consulting a Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner (OR 2.66) or a dietician (OR 2.11). Conclusion: The findings of this study can be used for informing health service planning and policy that takes a whole‐of‐health‐system approach when designing preconception health primary care interventions.
SN - 0730-7659
SN - 1523-536X
ER -