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Table 1 Social and obstetric characteristics of participants in the 2008 HMHF Survey and all women who gave birth in Victoria and South Australia during the study period*

From: Stressful life events, social health issues and low birthweight in an Australian population-based birth cohort: challenges and opportunities in antenatal care

 

HMHF Survey participants

All women who gave birth

in study period

 

No.

%

No.

%

Maternal age

    

≤24 years

416

9.9

1385

16

25-29 years

1053

25

2301

26.7

30-34 years

1604

38.1

2928

33.8

≥35 years

1138

27

2035

23.5

Relationship status

    

Married or living with partner

4201

95.5

7573

87.6

Single

144

3.3

977

11.3

Divorced, separated or widowed

55

1.2

88

1.1

Equivalised household income (before tax) per annum (AUD)

    

≤ $20,000

938

24.2

Not collected

$21,000-$40,000

1959

50.5

  

≥$41,001

979

25.3

  

Health care concession card

    

Yes

949

21.9

Not collected

No

3394

78.2

  

Educational attainment (secondary)

    

Completed secondary school

3429

79.3

Not collected

Did not complete secondary school

894

20.7

  

Educational attainment (tertiary)

    

Completed tertiary education

2582

60

Not collected

Did not complete tertiary education

1722

40

  

Mother's Country of birth

    

Australia

3521

81.5

6605

76.3

Overseas - English speaking

272

6.3

478

5.6

Overseas - Non-English speaking

526

12.2

1567

18.1

Risk of medical complications in pregnancy

    

Higher risk

1712

39.2

Not available in both states

Lower risk

2654

60.8

  

Smoking in pregnancy

    

Yes

752

17.6

Not available in both states

No

3516

82.4

  

Maternal pre-pregnant BMI

    

Underweight (< 18.5)

182

4.5

Not available in both states

Normal weight (18.5-24.9)

2400

58.9

  

Overweight (25.0-29.9)

909

22.3

  

Obese (≥30)

583

14.3

  

Social health issues/stressful life events (12 months before birth)

    

None

1440

33.1

Not available in both states

One to two issues

2144

49.3

  

≥3 issues

768

17.7

  

Parity

    

First baby

1941

44.5

3609

41.6

Second or subsequent baby

2425

55.5

5060

58.4

Infant birthweight

    

< 2500 g

179

4.1

565

6.5

2500 g-3999 g

3413

78.2

7183

81.9

≥4000 g

560

13.5

1019

11.6

  1. * Data on all women who gave birth in the study period obtained from the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit and South Australian Pregnancy Outcome Unit; totals vary because of missing values
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