Psychosocial factors and health practices in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate psychosocial, demographic and obstetric factors that affect health practices in pregnancy. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted with pregnant women selected by using random sampling in a public hospital in Turkey. The pregnant women (n = 383) completed the Health Practices Questionnaire in Pregnancy, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Multiple linear regression was used to examine predictors of participation in health practices. The variables were subjected to multiple linear regression analysis to estimate the effect of each independent variable (depression, anxiety, perceived social support, age, educational level, gestational week and parity) on the dependent variable (health practices). Results Depression and anxiety were not significantly related to gestational health practices. The multiple linear regression model showed that inadequate social support, low education level, early gestational week and high parity were significant predictors of nonengagement in favourable health practices during pregnancy. Conclusions Pregnant women with inadequate social support and specific demographic and obstetric characteristics are less likely to participate in gestational health practices. This study suggests that more attention should be paid to these groups to improve the health practices of pregnant women.