Abstract
Pregnant women commonly report various health complaints during pregnancy, the occurrence of which is believed to cause human error. However, no study has examined the relationship between the occurrence of pregnancy complaints and the risk of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the frequency and severity of common pregnancy complaints and the occurrence of MVCs or near-miss incidents. We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional survey of 1000 pregnant women in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The event group experiencing MVCs or near-miss incidents during pregnancy comprised 10.8% of respondents. The frequency of compression of the stomach or abdomen, tension and cramps in the lower abdomen, pelvic pain, irritability, depressed mood, distractedness, and hot flashes was significantly higher in the event group. The results of our multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that tension and cramps in the lower abdomen, distractedness, and irritability were independent contributory factors to such events, with an odds ratio of 2.414, 1.849, and 1.746, respectively. Educating pregnant women to avoid driving when experiencing these symptoms would improve maternal and fetal safety.
Highlights
One of the 2030 Agenda development goals adopted by the United Nations MemberStates in 2015 is a healthy life for all and the promotion of well-being for all, at all ages
This result was consistent with previous data collected from professional drivers, showing that 10.1% of drivers suffered from motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) or near-miss incidents due to health problems [7]
The results of the current study indicated that considerable numbers of pregnant women experienced near-miss incidents
Summary
One of the 2030 Agenda development goals adopted by the United Nations Member. States in 2015 is a healthy life for all and the promotion of well-being for all, at all ages. More specific goals include reducing the global maternal mortality rate, reducing mortality in newborns, and reducing mortality in children under the age of 5 years [1]. Low birth rates have become a huge problem in developed countries. In Japan, the number of children aged 15 years or under has decreased over the past 31 years owing to a continuously low birth rate. Japan had a total fertility rate of 1.42 in 2018, lower than those of France (1.88), the United States (1.73), and England (1.68) [2]. Protecting the life of all children, including unborn fetuses, is of the highest priority, especially in Japan
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