Preconception health among migrant women in England
Analysis of preconception indicators among women who are likely to be migrants including social factors, health behaviours and pre-existing medical conditions.
Applies to England
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Analysis using data routinely recorded at appointments for all pregnant women booking for maternity services in England. The data is taken from the Maternity Services Data Set (MSDS) from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019 to describe the prevalence of preconception indicators among women who are likely to be migrants.
Migrants are known to be at risk of poorer health. This analysis is designed to increase understanding of the health and inequalities in health of mothers in this group.
It includes analysis of:
- social factors such as whether mothers felt that they had adequate support available during and after pregnancy
- previous pregnancy-related conditions such pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and previous caesarean section
- health behaviours (folic acid supplements, smoking) and maternal weight status
- known pre-existing mental or physical health conditions and whether there is a family history of any inherited disorders or diabetes
The analysis builds on the methods used in the Report card: indicators of women’s preconception health analysis, focusing on women who are likely to be migrants.
The analysis can be used to inform work to improve the health of migrant women preparing for pregnancy, during pregnancy and between pregnancies.
The methodology and findings have been further discussed in a research paper which has now been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Updates to this page
Last updated 9 February 2023 + show all updates
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Added a link to the research paper.
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First published.