Exploring preconception health beliefs amongst adults of childbearing age in the UK: a qualitative analysis

Table 3 Sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviour status of focus group participants (N = 21)

Characteristic		n	%
Sex
Male		8	38
Female		13	62
Age Category (years)
18–25		11	52
26–35		4	19
36–45		6	29
Marital Status
Married		4	19
Single		13	62
Divorced		1	5
Living with partner		3	14
Highest Education Level Achieved
Secondary school (age 15/16 years – e.g. GCSE)		1	5
Secondary school (age 17/18 years – e.g. A-Level)		1	5
Additional Training (NVQ, BTEC, other)		3	14
University Undergraduate/Nursing Degree		9	43
University Postgraduate Degree		7	33
Occupational Status
Full time paid work (30h hours per week)		8	38
Part time paid work (8–29 h per week)		3	14
Full time higher education		9	43
Unemployed		1	5
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
Yes		2	10
No		19	90
Have Child/Children
Yes		8	38
No		13	62
Health Behaviours and Pregnancy Planning Measure
Self-described Weight Status
Slightly underweight		2	10
About the right weight		13	62
Slightly overweight		6	19
Smoking Status
Ex-smoker		2	10
Never smoked		19	90
Alcohol Intake
Moderate drinker		10	48
Minimal drinker		10	48
Do not consume alcohol		1	4
	Mean (Median)	Scoring Range
Eating choice index (ECI)^a	14.39 (14)	11–18
London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP)^$	9.75 (10.5)	7–12

^aMeasure of dietary quality: the Eating Choice Index (ECI) includes four items with scores ranging from 0 to 20. A higher score indicates a higher quality of diet [23]
^$Measure of pregnancy planning for those with children already (n=8): London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP), a six-item measure with established psychometric properties that scores pregnancy planning or intention from 0 to 12. Scores of 0–3 were categorised ‘unplanned,’ 4–9 as ‘ambivalent’ and 10–12 as ‘planned’ [22]

ISSN: 1471-2393