Social prevalence of knowledge about ectopic pregnancy – tip of the ‘health inequalities’ iceberg?

Abstract

We aimed to assess the social and demographic factors determining the level of awareness of the signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy (EP) in an East London female population and determine if awareness was related to adverse outcomes. This was a prospective, observational study using a structured questionnaire to assess awareness of EP. A retrospective analysis of a database of EP patients was used to assess the association between adverse clinical outcomes and knowledge about EP. A younger age (<20 years) (p = .024), higher education (p = .008), higher income (p = .002), professional (p = .008), white ethnicity (p= <.00001), single (p = .037) and an awareness of the media (p = .030) were statistically significantly related to a higher knowledge. A significant difference was seen between the white and all other ethnicities in the amount of blood loss (p = .033). The relative risks (RRs 1.169) of having >500 ml of blood loss were higher in the ethnic minorities. RR of >500 ml of blood loss if Asian compared to white is 1.1034 and if black compared to white is 1.1201. Blacks are more likely than whites and Asians to have blood loss >1000 ml (p = .019). An ethnic minority, a lower education level, the older age groups, those with a lower income and with non-professional careers are linked to a lower level of knowledge about EP. Ethnic minority communities have a higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Research has identified demographic and social factors which prove that victims of health inequalities are usually the poor and the marginalised. What the results of this study add? To-date, our study is the only one to establish that the level of knowledge about ectopic pregnancy (EP) is influenced by demographic and socioeconomic factors and that lower levels of knowledge are significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Our findings show that ethnic minority women are more likely to suffer morbidity from EP than their Caucasian counterparts. We have also established that women of poorer backgrounds, women with lesser levels of education and in non-professional jobs are least likely to be aware of signs and symptoms and consequences of EP. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The health service has a responsibility to identify these populations and target them for interventions to correct these health inequalities. We propose a multifaceted plan to increase the level of knowledge of these identified sections of the local community.