Common maternal health problems among Australian-born and migrant women: A prospective cohort study.

Tharanga Navodani,Jane Yelland,Stephanie J Brown,Elisha Riggs,Deirdre Gartland,Yong-Hui Dang

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211685

Abstract

BackgroundMigrant women of non-English speaking background make up an increasing proportion of women giving birth in high income countries, such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of common physical and psychosocial health problems during pregnancy and up to 18 months postpartum among migrant women of non-English speaking background compared to Australian-born women.MethodsProspective pregnancy cohort study of 1507 nulliparous women. Women completed self-administered questionnaires or telephone interviews in early and late pregnancy and at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months postpartum. Standardised instruments were used to assess incontinence, depressive symptoms and intimate partner violence.FindingsMigrant women of non-English speaking background (n = 243) and Australian-born mothers (n = 1115) reported a similar pattern of physical health problems during pregnancy and postpartum. The most common physical health problems were: exhaustion, back pain, constipation and urinary incontinence. Around one in six Australian-born women (16.9%) and more than one in four migrant women (22.5%) experienced intimate partner abuse in the first 12 months postpartum. Compared to Australian-born women, migrant women were more likely to report depressive symptoms at 12 and 18 months postpartum.ConclusionPhysical and mental health problems are common among women of non-English speaking background and Australian-born women, and frequently persist up to 18 months postpartum. Migrant women experience a higher burden of postpartum depressive symptoms and intimate partner violence, and may face additional challenges accessing appropriate care and support.

Highlights

Physical and mental health problems are common among women of non-English speaking background and Australian-born women, and frequently persist up to 18 months postpartum
Pregnancy and childbirth are major life events that place complex demands on women’s physical and psychological health and wellbeing [1]The physical and emotional changes associated with pregnancy and early motherhood can be especially challenging for migrant women having a baby in a new country[2] One third of all women giving birth in Australia are migrants, the majority coming from a country where English is not the main language or official language [3]
Few studies have reported on the prevalence of common maternal postpartum physical morbidities among migrant women

Summary

Introduction

Pregnancy and childbirth are major life events that place complex demands on women’s physical and psychological health and wellbeing [1]The physical and emotional changes associated with pregnancy and early motherhood can be especially challenging for migrant women having a baby in a new country[2] One third of all women giving birth in Australia are migrants, the majority coming from a country where English is not the main language or official language [3]. Migrant women of non-English speaking background settling in high income countries are known to experience multiple and varied barriers accessing perinatal health care [4,5,6,7]. A systematic review of studies examining migrant women’s access to health care in countries of settlement found evidence of: higher morbidity during pregnancy, higher incidence of stillbirth and early neonatal death, increased risk of maternal death, and higher incidence of postpartum depression comparing migrant and native born women. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of common physical and psychosocial health problems during pregnancy and up to 18 months postpartum among migrant women of non-English speaking background compared to Australian-born women

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