Health behaviours of young mothers: Implications for health promotion and cancer prevention.

Lucy Hackshaw-Mcgeagh,Kimberly Jamie,Rhona Beynon,Roisin O’Neill

doi:10.1177/0017896917745106

Abstract

Objective:Evidence suggests that younger mothers engage in poorer health behaviours, resulting in increased cancer risk. We aimed to better understand the health behaviours of younger mothers and the factors that influence their lifestyle choices, in order to improve cancer prevention within this population.Methods:A multiple focus group, photo-elicitation-aided approach was used, in which young mothers (n = 27; aged 16–24 years) were provided with cameras and asked to capture ‘a week in your life’. Photographs were developed and participants invited to an initial focus group where photographs were used to elicit discussion, exploring participants’ health behaviours. Data were thematically analysed particularly identifying themes relating to barriers and facilitators of positive health behaviours. Participants were later invited to participate in a second focus group, to explore and validate identified themes further.Results:Themes emerged from the data relating to (1) the mothers’ personal perceptions of health, (2) health-related behaviours and (3) beliefs about cancer and its causes. Barriers to positive health behaviours included a lack of money, childcare and cookery skills; facilitators included the social media, commercial weight loss programmes and local community organisations.Conclusion:Study findings provide insight into the health behaviours and life choices of young mothers. They help illustrate health perceptions in relation to cancer risk, providing an understanding of how their daily routine and circumstance influence young women’s decisions and lifestyle behaviour choices and highlighting barriers to, and facilitators of, positive health behaviours. Data hold potential to inform future health-related research among young mothers, particularly relating to cancer prevention intervention.

Highlights

The significance of lifestyle factors in the development of cancer is well established (Parkin et al, 2011; World Cancer Fund, 2007)
Participants ranged in age from 16 to 24 years at the time of focus group, had between one and three children, who were aged between 2 weeks and 6 years and were all of White British or Irish background
The content of the photographs differed between participants but captured daily activities such as trips to the park with their children, events involving family and friends, foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and cigarette packets

Summary

Introduction

The significance of lifestyle factors in the development of cancer is well established (Parkin et al, 2011; World Cancer Fund, 2007). Socioeconomic differences have been identified in many of these contributory risk factors (Mackenbach et al, 2008; Wardle et al, 2003). Those living in areas with a lower socioeconomic profile are more likely to have tried smoking, to be physically inactive and to eat a high fat diet (Bambra, 2016; Hanson and Chen, 2007; Wardle et al, 2003). Awareness of cancer symptoms is lower among socially and economically deprived populations (Redeker et al, 2009), and people living in disadvantaged communities are less likely to utilise cancer-screening services (Ward et al, 2004). Health outcomes are not just the result of individual decision-making but are rooted in structural inequalities, whereby deprived communities have poorer access to health services, poorer health education and increased housing and financial pressures, which, in turn, may lead to poor health behaviours

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion