Co-Creating Preconception Health Content for a Digital Resource for Women From Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds.

Abstract

Introduction: Planning pregnancy and optimal health prior to pregnancy can significantly reduce pregnancy complications and poor maternal health outcomes. Women from culturally and racially marginalised groups experience more unintended pregnancies, increased preconception risk factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including maternal and infant mortality, compared to native born Australians. Improving health literacy through culturally relevant and accessible resources may improve preconception health. We have previously shown that women from migrant and refugee backgrounds would prefer receiving preconception information on digital platforms. The aim of this study is to understand the focus and concerns of the women with regard to the content for a digital resource called 'BabyReady?'.

Methods: We conducted virtual workshops with 10 women from East Asian, South Asian, Central Asian, Middle-Eastern, and African backgrounds to understand more about cultural practices related to pregnancy preparation, preconception information sources and to identify topics that may be useful to include on a digital dashboard. Focus group discussions were transcribed and a content analysis was conducted.

Results: A range of culturally specific practices included eating warm foods, using acupuncture and alternative medicines to prepare for pregnancy. Expectations from family and friends induced high levels of stress and feeling controlled. Relatives were integral in decision making about pregnancy planning, particularly the mother-in-law. Women wanted to learn more about egg freezing, government benefits, adverse birth outcomes, how to navigate the healthcare system, interpreter services and where they could locate female health professionals.

Conclusion: Digital preconception health content may be optimised for use by women from ethnically diverse backgrounds if it includes information around stress management, how to balance cultural expectations and beliefs with health advice, how to locate female health practitioners who speak their language and appropriate pregnancy planning.

Patient or public contribution: The public participated in workshops providing feedback on what digital culturally responsive preconception health content means to them and how best to integrate it into a digital health dashboard.