Validation of a pregnancy planning measure for Arabic-speaking women

Unplanned pregnancy and risk of peripartum depression: a prospective cohort study in Saudi pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic

Background

Few studies have been conducted on unintended pregnancies and peripartum depression in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between unplanned pregnancies and peripartum depression among pregnant women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included pregnant women attending an antenatal care clinic in 2021. The London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy was used to assess the prevalence of unplanned pregnancy, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess antenatal and postnatal depression.

Results

A total of 236 participants were included, of which 25.8% had unplanned pregnancies, 36.0% had ambivalent pregnancies, and 38.1% had planned pregnancies. EPDS results revealed that 77.5% and 73.35% of the females were negative for antenatal and postnatal depression, respectively. A history of stressful events (P=0.001), husband (P=0.020), and family support (P=0.007) was significantly associated with antenatal EPDS score, whereas age (P=0.005), type of delivery (P=0.019), and family support (P=0.031) were significantly associated with the postnatal score.

Conclusion

Unplanned pregnancies may affect the perinatal mental health of women. We demonstrated the importance of family or husbands' support for women with perinatal depression. In addition, our research showed that pregnancy at an early age is a risk factor for postnatal depression. Therefore, these women should be closely monitored not only during their pregnancy but also during the first postpartum year.

Unplanned pregnancy and the association with maternal health and pregnancy outcomes: A Swedish cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Unplanned pregnancies are common and associated with late initiation and inadequate antenatal care attendance, which may pose health risks to mother and child. How pregnancy planning relates to maternal health and delivery in Sweden, a country with free antenatal care and free abortion, has not been studied previously. Our aims were to study whether pregnancy planning was associated with antenatal care utilization and pregnancy outcomes in a Swedish setting.

METHODS

Data for 2953 women, who answered a questionnaire when recruited at antenatal clinics in Sweden and later gave birth, was linked to the Swedish Medical Birth Register. The degree of pregnancy planning was estimated using the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy. Unplanned (comprising unplanned and ambivalent intention to pregnancy) was compared to planned pregnancy. Differences between women with unplanned and planned pregnancy intention and associated pregnancy outcomes were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 31% unplanned (2% unplanned and 29% ambivalent) pregnancies, whereas most woman (69%) reported their pregnancy to be planned. Women with an unplanned pregnancy enrolled later to antenatal care, but there was no difference in number of visits compared with planned pregnancy. Women with an unplanned pregnancy had higher odds to have induced labor (17% versus 13%; aOR 1.33 95% CI 1.06-1.67) and a longer hospital stay (41% versus 37%; aOR 1.21 95% CI 1.02-1.44). No associations were found between pregnancy planning and pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, epidural analgesia use, vacuum extraction delivery, Caesarean section or sphincter rupture.

CONCLUSIONS

Unplanned pregnancy was associated with delayed initiation of antenatal care, higher odds for induction of labor and longer hospital stay, but not with any severe pregnancy outcomes. These findings suggest that women with an unplanned pregnancy cope well in a setting with free abortion and free health care.

Evaluation of the Amharic version of the London measure of unplanned pregnancy in Ethiopia

Background

Unplanned pregnancy is an important public health problem in both the developing and developed world, as it may cause adverse social and health outcomes for mothers, children, and families as a whole. London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) has been formally and informally validated in multiple and diverse settings. However, there is a dearth of literature on the validation of LMUP in Ethiopia either in the Amharic version or other languages.

Objective

The general objective of this study was to translate the LMUP into Amharic and evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of Amharic-speaking women receiving antenatal care (ANC) service at public health facilities in Arbaminch and Birbir towns.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was used for the study. Forward and backward translation of original English LMUP to Amharic was done. A cognitive interview using a pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from respondents. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, inter-item correlations, and corrected item-total correlations while construct validity was assessed using principal components analysis and hypothesis testing.

Results

Data was collected from 320 women attending antennal care services at selected public health care facilities. LMUP range of 1to 11 was captured. The prevalence of unplanned pregnancies was 19(5.9%), while 136(42.5 were ambivalent and 165(51.6%) were planned pregnancies. The reliability testing demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.799) and the validity testing confirmed the unidimensional structure of the scale. In addition, all hypotheses were confirmed.

Conclusions

Amharic version of LMUP is a valid and reliable tool to measure pregnancy intention so that it can be used by Amharic speaking population in Ethiopia. It can also be used in research studies among Amharic-speaking women to measure unplanned pregnancy.

Evaluation of the Hindi version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy among pregnant and postnatal women in urban India

BACKGROUND

Valid and reliable measures such as London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) are imperative for understanding fertility-related behaviors and estimating unintended pregnancy. The aim of this study was to validate the LMUP in the Hindi language for a wider reach in India.

METHODS

An interviewer administered version of the LMUP was translated and pretested in Hindi. The LMUP was field tested with married women in the reproductive age group across forty informal settlements in Mumbai in the post intervention census of a cluster randomized control trial to improve the health of women and children. Analyses involved the full sample and sub-groups according to time-from-conception. Reliability (internal consistency) was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, inter-item correlations, and item-rest correlations. Construct validity was assessed by hypothesis testing and confirmatory factor analysis.

RESULTS

4991 women were included in the study (1180 were pregnant, 2126 in their first- and 1685 in their second postnatal year). LMUP item completion rates were 100 % and the full range of LMUP scores was captured. Reliability: the scale was internally consistent (Cronbach's α = 0.84), inter-item correlations were positive, and item-rest correlations were above 0.2 for all items except item six (0.07). Construct validity: hypotheses were met, and confirmatory factor analysis showed that a one-factor model was a good fit for the data, confirming unidimensional measurement. The sub-group analysis (by pregnant, first-, and second postnatal year) showed that the psychometric properties of the LMUP were similar across the groups. In terms of LMUP scores, the women in the postnatal groups were very slightly, but significantly, more likely to have an LMUP score of 10 + compared to pregnant women; the difference between the first and second postnatal year was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The Hindi LMUP is valid and reliable measure of pregnancy intention that may be used in India.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is registered with ISRCTN, number ISRCTN56183183, and Clinical Trials Registry of India, number CTRI/2012/09/003004.

Evaluating the Chichewa version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy in Malawi: a validation update

Objective

To investigate the psychometric properties of the validated Chichewa version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy in a large representative community-based sample in Malawi, a low-income country. We collected data on pregnancy intention from a cohort of 4244 pregnant women in Malawi using the validated Chichewa version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP). We evaluated the psychometric properties of the Chichewa LMUP using classical test theory and confirmatory factor analysis to re-assess the performance of items one and six, which had weaker performance in the original smaller, facility-based validation sample.

Results

The Chichewa version of the LMUP met all pre-set criteria for validation. There are now nine validations of the LMUP in different low-and-middle-income countries, confirming the validity and applicability of the LMUP in these settings.

The Turkish validity and reliability study of the London measure of unplanned pregnancy

AIM

This study aims to adapt the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) developed by Barrett et al. to Turkish by checking its validity and reliability.

METHOD

The sample of this methodological study consisted of 596 pregnant women who were referred to the antenatal outpatient clinics of a public hospital in eastern Turkey. Data were collected from those who agreed to participate in the study, by using a personal information form and the six-item LMUP. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 24.0 statistical package programs, and statistically assessed using descriptive statistics such as number, percentage, mean and SD, language and content validity, explanatory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach's α reliability coefficient, and test-retest analysis.

RESULTS

The EFA revealed that the Turkish version of the LMUP consisted of five items and one factor. The items' factor loadings were above 0.30, and explained 68.89% of the total variance. The CFA supported the one-factor structure of the scale, which was revealed by the EFA. As a result of the CFA, the fit indices were found to be very good. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was determined as 0.90.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the LMUP is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate unplanned pregnancy.

On the Stability of Reported Pregnancy Intentions from Pregnancy to 1 Year Postnatally: Impact of Choice of Measure, Timing of Assessment, Women's Characteristics and Outcome of Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

Retrospective, cross-sectional estimates of pregnancy intention, as used in the Demographic Health Survey (DHS), are the global norm. The London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) is a newer, psychometrically validated measure which may be more reliable. This paper assesses the reliability of the LMUP and the DHS question over the first postnatal year and explores the effects of maternal characteristics or pregnancy outcome on reported pregnancy intention.

METHODS

We compared the test-retest reliability of the LMUP (using the AC coefficient) and DHS question (using the weighted Kappa) over the first postnatal year using data from Malawian women. We investigated the effect of maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcome using t-tests, Chi squared or Fisher's exact tests, and calculated odds ratios to estimate effect size.

RESULTS

The DHS question was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of unplanned pregnancies from 1-to-12 months postnatally; the LMUP was not. The LMUP had moderate to substantial reliability (0.51-0.66); the DHS had moderate reliability (0.56-0.58). The LMUP's stability was not related to any of the factors examined; the stability of the DHS varied by marital status (p = 0.033), number of children (p = 0.048) and postnatal depression (p < 0.001). Both underestimated unintended pregnancy postnatally vis-à-vis the LMUP in pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

The LMUP is a more reliable measure of pregnancy intention than the DHS in the first postnatal year and does not vary by maternal characteristics or pregnancy outcome. The LMUP should become the gold-standard for measuring pregnancy intention and should be collected in pregnancy or at the first postnatal opportunity.

Validation of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy among pregnant Australian women

Introduction

Globally, over half of pregnancies in developed countries are unplanned. Identifying and understanding the prevalence and complexity surrounding pregnancy preparation among Australian women is vital to enable sensitive, responsive approaches to addressing preconception and long-term health improvements for these women with varying motivation levels.

Aim

This study evaluated the reliability and validity of a comprehensive pregnancy planning/intention measure (London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy) in a population of pregnant women (over 18 years of age) in Australia.

Methods

A psychometric evaluation, within a cross-sectional study comprising cognitive interviews (to assess comprehension and acceptability) and a field test. Pregnant women aged over 18 years were recruited in early pregnancy (approximately 12 weeks’ gestation). Reliability (internal consistency) was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, corrected item-total correlations and inter-item correlations, and stability via a test-retest. Construct validity was assessed using principal components analysis and hypothesis testing.

Results

Six women participated in cognitive interviews and 317 in the field test. The London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy was acceptable and well comprehended. Reliability testing demonstrated good internal consistency (alpha = 0.81, all corrected item-total correlations >0.20, all inter-item correlations positive) and excellent stability (weighted kappa = 0.92). Validity testing confirmed the unidimensional structure of the measure and all hypotheses were confirmed.

Conclusions

The London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy is a valid and reliable measure of pregnancy planning/intention for the Australian population. Implementation of this measure into all maternity healthcare, research and policy settings will provide accurate population-level pregnancy planning estimates to inform, monitor and evaluate interventions to improve preconception health in Australia.

Comparing the order of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy and the Demographic and Health Survey question on pregnancy intention in a single group of postnatal women in Malawi - the effect of question order on assessment of pregnancy intention

Objective

To investigate the effect of question order on women’s responses to the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) or the pregnancy intention question of the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) when both are asked in the same survey. We collected data on pregnancy intention from a cohort of 4244 pregnant women in Malawi who were re-interviewed at 1, 6 and 12 months postnatally. Women in Zone 1 were asked the LMUP, then antenatal questions, then the DHS pregnancy intention question, women in Zone 2 were asked the DHS pregnancy intention question, then antenatal questions, then the LMUP; women in Zone 3 were only asked the DHS pregnancy intention question. We used linear regression to compare the LMUP score and ordinal regression to compare DHS categorisations of pregnancy intention across Zones, adjusting for baseline socioeconomic differences between the Zones.

Results

We found no effect of question order on the assessment of pregnancy intention by the LMUP. There were differences in the assessment of pregnancy intention when the pregnancy intention question in the DHS was used, however this seemed to be due to baseline sociodemographic differences between the groups of pregnant women being compared, and not due to question order.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3577-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Before the beginning: nutrition and lifestyle in the preconception period and its importance for future health

A woman who is healthy at the time of conception is more likely to have a successful pregnancy and a healthy child. We reviewed published evidence and present new data from low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries on the timing and importance of preconception health for subsequent maternal and child health. We describe the extent to which pregnancy is planned, and whether planning is linked to preconception health behaviours. Observational studies show strong links between health before pregnancy and maternal and child health outcomes, with consequences that can extend across generations, but awareness of these links is not widespread. Poor nutrition and obesity are rife among women of reproductive age, and differences between high-income and low-income countries have become less distinct, with typical diets falling far short of nutritional recommendations in both settings and especially among adolescents. Several studies show that micronutrient supplementation starting in pregnancy can correct important maternal nutrient deficiencies, but effects on child health outcomes are disappointing. Other interventions to improve diet during pregnancy have had little effect on maternal and newborn health outcomes. Comparatively few interventions have been made for preconception diet and lifestyle. Improvements in the measurement of pregnancy planning have quantified the degree of pregnancy planning and suggest that it is more common than previously recognised. Planning for pregnancy is associated with a mixed pattern of health behaviours before conception. We propose novel definitions of the preconception period relating to embryo development and actions at individual or population level. A sharper focus on intervention before conception is needed to improve maternal and child health and reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. Alongside continued efforts to reduce smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity in the population, we call for heightened awareness of preconception health, particularly regarding diet and nutrition. Importantly, health professionals should be alerted to ways of identifying women who are planning a pregnancy.

Psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy in women with pregnancies ending in birth

Objective

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy in women with pregnancies ending in birth.

Methods

A two-phase psychometric evaluation design was set-up. Phase I comprised the translation from English into Dutch and pretesting with 6 women using cognitive interviews. In phase II, the reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the LMUP was assessed in 517 women giving birth recently. Reliability (internal consistency) was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, inter-item correlations, and corrected item-total correlations. Construct validity was assessed using principal components analysis and hypothesis testing. Exploratory Mokken scale analysis was carried out.

Results

517 women aged 15–45 completed the Dutch version of the LMUP. Reliability testing showed acceptable internal consistency (alpha = 0.74, positive inter-item correlations between all items, all corrected item-total correlations >0.20). Validity testing confirmed the unidimensional structure of the scale and all hypotheses were confirmed. The overall Loevinger’s H coefficient was 0.57, representing a ‘strong’ scale.

Conclusion

The Dutch version of the LMUP is a reliable and valid measure that can be used in the Dutch-speaking population in Belgium to assess pregnancy planning. Future research is necessary to assess the stability of the Dutch version of the LMUP, and to evaluate its psychometric properties in women with abortions.