Environmental Health Attitudes, Practices, and Educational Preferences: A National Survey of Reproductive-Aged Women in Canada

Eric J. Crighton, Erica Phipps (), Graeme N. Smith, Rukhsana Ahmed, Jocelynn L. Cook, Jeffrey R. Masuda, Alvaro R. Osornio-Vargas, Margaret Sanborn, Lesley J. Brennan, Karen P. Phillips () and on behalf of the PEHE Collaboration
Additional contact information
Eric J. Crighton: Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
Erica Phipps: Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
Graeme N. Smith: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
Rukhsana Ahmed: Department of Communication, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
Jocelynn L. Cook: Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1B 1A7, Canada
Jeffrey R. Masuda: School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
Alvaro R. Osornio-Vargas: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Margaret Sanborn: Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8P 1H6, Canada
Lesley J. Brennan: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Karen P. Phillips: Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
on behalf of the PEHE Collaboration: Partners of the Prenatal Environmental Health Education Collaboration: https://www.pehe-esep.ca/ .

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: Prenatal exposures to environmental toxicants can adversely affect fetal and child development and lead to increased risk of chronic disease. While regulatory action is essential to reduce sources of environmental toxicants, prenatal care presents an opportunity to educate, mobilize, and support prospective parents to reduce exposures to such hazards. As the first phase of an interdisciplinary research collaboration to inform the development of prenatal environmental health education strategy in Canada, we surveyed reproductive-aged female individuals. The online survey (July–September 2021) yielded a nationally representative sample of 1914 reproductive-aged females living in Canada. The questionnaire topics addressed the respondents’ knowledge and perceptions of environmental health risks, preventive actions and related facilitators and barriers, information sources and preferences, reproductive history, and demographics. The analysis included bivariate and multivariate techniques. Our results suggest broad awareness among reproductive-aged females that exposure to toxicants can be harmful, and that reducing prenatal exposures can benefit child health. However, fewer than half of respondents felt that they had enough knowledge to take protective measures. Despite high levels of preference for prenatal care as an ideal context for learning about environmental health risks and protective measures, fewer than one in four respondents had ever discussed environmental health concerns with a healthcare provider. Our findings reveal a knowledge–action gap and a corresponding opportunity to improve environmental health education and advocacy in prenatal care in the Canadian context.

Keywords: environmental health; toxic chemicals; pregnancy; prenatal education; reproductive health; child health; survey; Canada (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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