Self-Reported Health Status in Young Adult Pregnant Low Income Women

Life course research indicates that early-life experiences can shape health across a lifetime. Young adult women (19 to 29) have the highest pregnancy rate in the United States, yet little research exists about women's health status with the exception of pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. Socioeconomically disadvantaged women may experience health disparities which can impact their health and pregnancy outcomes and could benefit from public and maternal health interventions. Methods: Aim was to determine the relationship among transition influencing factors (assets/risks) and behavioral indicators with self-reported health status (SRHS). A life transitions model (Kaiser, Kaiser, Barry, 2009) provided the study's conceptual base. Existing Medicaid managed care administrative and public health nursing data were used from years 2001-2006. The sample (n=1888) consisted of low income pregnant women aged 19 to 29 receiving Medicaid services. Multi-step multiple regression was used to examine variables that were associated with SRHS (measured by the HSQ-12). Results: Total health status score (0-800) indicated the majority (74%, n=1390) reported high health status (> 590), yet one in four had scores indicating middle or low health status. Using multi-step multiple regression, transition assets/risks (race, depression, previous live births, pregnancy complications, married) and behavioral indicators (tobacco use, preventive dental use, community agency use) explained 22% of the variance in self-reported health status. Depression and pregnancy complications had the largest magnitude of association with SRHS. Conclusions: SRHS is influenced by transition assets/risks and behavioral indicators. These results can inform public and maternal health practice, policy and interventions.