Health in traditional Chinese medicine and related factors in women of childbearing age

Objective: To investigate the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution among women who planned to be pregnant in one year and explore factors associated with TCM constitution. Methods: The study was conducted among 708 women who participated in free preconception check-ups provided by the Zhabei District Maternity and Child Care Centre in Shanghai, China. The information regarding the female demographic characteristics, physical condition, history of pregnancy and childbearing, diet and behaviour, and social psychological factors was collected, and TCM constitution assessment was performed. The Chi-square test, t-test, logistic regression analysis, and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used to explore the related factors of TCM constitution. Results: Approximately fifty-five women in this study had unbalanced constitutions. The result of the logistic regression analysis showed that residence in Shanghai (AOR= 1.732, P= 0.003), gum bleeding (AOR= 1.712, P= 0.003), aversion to vegetables (AOR= 3.051, P= 0.023), job stress (AOR= 2.278, P= 0.000), and economic stress (AOR= 1.561, P= 0.008) were significantly and negatively associated with balanced constitution. The result of the multinomial logistic analysis showed that residence in Shanghai was significantly associated with Yang-deficiency Constitution (AOR= 2.362, P= 0.047), and Stagnant Qi Constitution (AOR= 1.616, P= 0.032); gum bleeding was significantly associated with Yin-deficiency (AOR= 4.220, P= 0.000), Stagnant Blood Constitution (AOR= 1.750, P= 0.048), Stagnant Qi Constitution (AOR= 1.633, P= 0.020), and Inherited Special Constitution (AOR= 4.020, P= 0.000); aversion to vegetables was significantly associated with Yang-deficiency (AOR= 4.501, P= 0.040) and Damp-heat Constitution (AOR= 8.013, P= 0.000); job stress was significantly associated with Yang-deficiency Constitution (AOR= 3.852, P= 0.000), Phlegm-dampness Constitution (AOR= 6.130, P= 0.045), Damp-heat Constitution (AOR= 3.532, P= 0.000), Stagnant Blood Constitution (AOR= 2.513, P= 0.000) and Stagnant Qi Constitution (AOR= 1.901, P= 0.003); and economic stress was significantly associated with Yang-deficiency Constitution (AOR= 2.270, P= 0.007), and Stagnant Qi Constitution (AOR= 1.646, P= 0.000). Conclusions: It is possible for women without medical conditions to have unbalanced constitutions. The related factors found in this study may provide some new insights for medical staff working on preconception care.