https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Sheahan2022

Sheahan, K. L., Kroll-Desrosiers, A., Goldstein, K. M., Sheahan, M. M., Oumarou, A., & Mattocks, K. (2022). Sufficiency of health information during pregnancy: What’s missing and for whom? A cross-sectional analysis among veterans. Journal of Women’s Health, 31(11), 1557-1566. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2021.0462

851 postpartum women Veterans reported on whether they had received sufficient information on 9 health topics (e.g., what to expect during delivery, partner support during labor) from healthcare providers during their pregnancy. Veterans also reported on contextual factors that could impact their perception of information sufficiency, including employment status, pregnancy experiences (e.g., same provider for prenatal care and delivery, attending childbirth classes), past diagnosis and current symptoms of depression, history of military sexual trauma (MST), and experience of intimate partner violence (IPV). Approximately 60–80% of women reported receiving sufficient health information on most health-related topics. Additionally, contextual factors were related to the perceived sufficiency of information received. Current symptoms of depression were the most robust predictor, such that Veterans with more symptoms of depression tended to report lower sufficiency of information during pregnancy.

https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2021.0462

Veterans
Programming
Parents

Multiple branches

Veteran

Veteran

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Cross sectional study

Sheahan, Kate L., Kroll-Desrosiers, Aimee, Goldstein, Karen M., Sheahan, Margaret M., Oumarou, Annie, Mattocks, Kristin

Background: Women Veterans often experience trauma and physical and mental health conditions that increase risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Information provision during pregnancy may facilitate improved outcomes. However, little evidence exists about information women Veterans receive during pregnancy, and their perceptions of it. Materials and Methods: We recruited pregnant Veterans from 15 Veterans Affairs medical centers. Through telephone surveys, women (N = 851) provided information about sociodemographic characteristics, military service, health, and pregnancy experiences. We asked postpartum women whether, during pregnancy, they received sufficient information about nine health topics. We calculated a composite score (range: 0–9) that reflected sufficiency of information received. Multivariable logistic regression models identified determinants of perceived sufficiency of information. Results: Mean age was 32.1 years. Most reported being White (56.3%), non-Hispanic (80.3%), married/living with a partner (85.1%), and employed (54.4%). Most (54.6%) had been diagnosed with depression (54.6%); one-quarter reported current depressive symptoms. Mean sufficiency of information score was 6.9. Topics that women most reported they did not receive sufficient information on included, what to expect during delivery (32.3%) and how their spouse/partner might support them during labor (40.3%). History of depression (β = −0.35, p = 0.03), current depressive symptoms (β = −0.66, p = 0.001), military sexual trauma (β = 0.37, p = 0.03), and experience of violence (β = 0.66, p = 0.03) were associated with lower sufficiency of information scores. Conclusion: Results indicate need for enhanced and tailored provision of information for Veterans during pregnancy, particularly among those with experience of trauma, past depression diagnoses, and current depressive symptoms. This may include optimizing care coordination and increasing access to childbirth education classes and doula support.

Article
REACH Publication

depression, information, pregnancy, prenatal care, Veterans

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jwh.2021.0462

Research Summary

  March 2023