Perception of Environmental Risks and Behavioral Changes during Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study of French Postpartum Women

Raphaëlle Teysseire, Marion Lecourt, Jim Canet, Guyguy Manangama, Loïc Sentilhes and Fleur Delva
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Raphaëlle Teysseire: Environmental Health Platform Dedicated to Reproduction, ARTEMIS Center, 33076 Bordeaux, France
Marion Lecourt: Midwifery School, 33076 Bordeaux, France
Jim Canet: Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Inserm UMR1219-EPICENE, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
Guyguy Manangama: Environmental Health Platform Dedicated to Reproduction, ARTEMIS Center, 33076 Bordeaux, France
Loïc Sentilhes: Environmental Health Platform Dedicated to Reproduction, ARTEMIS Center, 33076 Bordeaux, France
Fleur Delva: Environmental Health Platform Dedicated to Reproduction, ARTEMIS Center, 33076 Bordeaux, France

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: Limiting exposure to environmental hazards during preconception and pregnancy is essential for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes or developmental defects in offspring. However, the perception of environmental risk and the behavioral changes of women planning or having a pregnancy have rarely been investigated, except for a few risk factors. We thus performed a cross-sectional study of French postpartum women hospitalized in the Bordeaux University Hospital in 2017 by proposing a self-administrated survey. The main objective was to assess their level of awareness concerning a large panel of environmental hazards and modifications in their behavior during pregnancy in occupational and household environments. Among the 121 respondents, most identified the environment as a major factor for a healthy pregnancy but recognized a lack of knowledge regarding environmental risk factors. The internet, television, and magazines were their main sources of information. Most women modified some of their practices at work or home. These measures were rarely implemented in consultation with a health practitioner, which raises concerns about the relevance of the adjustments made. Our findings highlight the need to improve the quality of information available to women and to help them implement preventive measures in consultation with physicians.

Keywords: environmental health; pregnancy; prenatal care; prevention; behavioral changes; risk perception; occupational health; health knowledge; attitudes; practice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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