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Table 3 Characteristics of the study population, with comparison to the national population

From: Women’s knowledge, attitudes and views of preconception health and intervention delivery methods: a cross-sectional survey

Variable

Response categories

Study sample

National population

N

(%)

(%)

Data source (year; country)

Age (years)

18–19

26

3.1

-a

Office for National Statistics (2020; England) [40]

20–24

120

14.4

15.8

25–29

275

32.9

17.2

30–34

131

15.7

17.4

35–39

139

16.6

17.1

40–44

95

11.4

15.9

45–48

49

5.9

16.6b

Missing

0

0.0

 

Household income (£)

Less than 13,000

53

6.5

6

Office for National Statistics (2020; United Kingdom) [39]

13,000-18,999

53

6.5

10

19,000-25,999

85

10.4

15

26,000-31,999

71

8.7

12

32,000-47,999

142

17.4

24

48,000-63,999

158

19.4

15

64,000-95,999

161

19.7

12

More than 96,000

93

11.4

7

Missing

19

2.3

 

Ethnicity

White

767

92.6

84.3

Office for National Statistics (2019; England) [41]

Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups

27

3.3

1.9

Asian/Asian British

19

2.3

8.3

Black/African/Caribbean/ Black British

13

1.6

3.7

Other ethnic group

2

0.2

1.9

Missing

7

0.8

 

Education

University

569

68.6

41.9

Office for National Statistics (2017; United Kingdom) [42]

Intermediate

185

22.3

9.4

Secondary school

64

7.7

40.7

Primary school or less

2

0.2

8.0

Still in education

9

1.1

-c

Missing

6

0.7

 

Country of birth

The UK

759

91.9

84.3

Office for National Statistics (2019; England) [43]

Other

67

8.1

15.7

Missing

9

1.1

 

Ever pregnant

Previously pregnant

404

48.4

–

Not available

Never pregnant

430

51.6

–

Missing

1

0.1

 

Previous live birth(s)

Yes

324

38.8

–

Not available

No

510

61.1

–

Missing

1

0.1

 

Adverse pregnancy outcome(s)

Yes d

140

16.8

–

Not available

No

694

83.2

–

Missing

1

0.1

 

Previous infertility

Yes e

88

10.6

12.5

Datta et al. (2010–2012; Britain) – 8869 women aged 16 to 74 years [44]

No

745

89.4

87.5

Missing

2

0.2

 

Pregnancy intentions

Currently trying to become pregnant

50

6.1

–

Not available

Would like to get pregnant in the next 1–2 years

144

17.5

–

Would like to get pregnant in the next 3+ years

183

22.3

–

Not sure/Don’t know

209

25.5

–

Would definitely not like (more) children/Unable to get pregnant

235

28.6

–

Missing

14

1.7

  
  1. aData available for 15–19-year-olds only; The remaining percentage figures are therefore relative to the number of 20–49-year-olds in England
  2. bComparison population is 45–49-year-olds
  3. cComparison population is men and women aged 20 to 65 years not enrolled on any educational course
  4. dParticipants who reported a miscarriage (n = 137), a termination due to a foetal anomaly (n = 10), and/or a stillbirth (n = 5)
  5. eParticipants who were unable to become pregnant after ≥12 months of trying and/or who had ever sought medical or professional help for infertility
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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

ISSN: 1471-2393

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