Sara Lister

Biology 1615 W 10am

Michael Young
5 April 2016
Final Bio 1615 Paper: Risk Factors for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
The article that I have chosen to study is found in the Maternal Health Journal and is
Titled Prevalence of Risk Factors for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes During Pregnancy and the
Preconception Period. In the study that was done, the objective of the researchers was to become
informed of the common risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in both the preconception
period and pregnancy. This study was done because in 2002 congenital anomalies, low birth
weight, preterm delivery and maternal complications during pregnancy consisted of a little of
half of the infant mortality rates at the time. This infant mortality rate in the United States had
reached a record low. Little was known to researchers about the factors that were contributing to
this low mortality rate. More information about the risk factors needed to be obtained.
To carry out the study, the researchers obtained information from a telephone survey. The
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) was used to obtain information from
women aged 18-44, gathering information on a wide range of risk factors. A series of questions
was asked to the women to determine if they were to be placed in the preconception group,
women who wanted a baby in the next year, not using contraception, not sterile, and not already
pregnant, or placed in the group of women who reported they were pregnant at the time of the
study. The risk factors surveyed about include mental health, lack of medical insurance,
knowledge of HIV prevention, alcohol and tobacco use, obesity, folic acid intake, and a chronic
medical condition.

In my opinion, I feel that the researchers method was done properly. Using the
telephone surveillance system, they were able to obtain information from women all over the
country instead of just one specific state or area. This produces a large sample size which is
more accurate when obtaining information. There were variables that could have affected the
data obtained such as those who did not answer their phone or reported information inaccurately
when surveyed, though the BRFSS uses a weighting system to make up for those who did not
answer their phone.
Through their study, researchers found that risk factors for women who were pregnant
were lower than those who were in the preconception period. Women who were pregnant
reported lower alcohol and tobacco use. 53.9% of women in the preconception period reported
use of alcohol in the past month, 10.7% of pregnant women reported the same. 19.4% of women
in the preconception period reported to currently smoke vs. 8.4% of pregnant women. 44.8% of
preconception women reported to not taking folic acid vs. 19.9%. 38.2% of preconception vs.
34.1% pregnant were not aware of HIV transmission prevention.
What can be drawn from this study is that women in the preconception period report to
have higher risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes than women who are pregnant. Women
who do have those risk factors, continue to have those same risk factors present in pregnancy.
Many women were not aware of the benefit of taking folic acid and many were also unaware of
methods to prevent HIV transmission. This information matters because it is important for
women to be aware that when they have risk factors before they are pregnant for unfavorable
pregnancy outcomes, those same risk factors will most likely continue to be present while
pregnant. It is important for women to take measure to reduce risk factors in the preconception
period to prevent unwanted pregnancy outcomes. It is also important to inform women of

methods for HIV transmission prevention as well as the benefits of taking folic acid before,
during, and after pregnancy.
What I learned through this study is that women who have risk factors for adverse
pregnancy outcome still have those same risk factors while pregnant. What I also learned is that
many women do not know why it is important for them to take folic acid. I feel that any women
of child bearing age should be taking folic acid whether they are pregnant or not to allow their
body to have enough folic acid to help a future or current baby develop. I learned that based on
the data obtained, most women do not know of methods available to prevent the transmission of
HIV. In my opinion I think that making those methods more public and better known would help
women to be aware. A study to test what risk factors lead to what pregnancy outcomes would be
beneficial to further carry out this experiment.

Source:
John E. Anderson, Shahul Ebrahim, Louis Floyd, and Hani Atrash, Prevalence of Risk Factors
for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes During Pregnancy and the Preconception Period, Maternal
Health Journal 10 (May 2006): 101-106