The public awareness of stillbirth: an Irish population study

• Published in: BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology 2018-01, Vol.125 (2), p.246-252
• Main Authors: Nuzum, D, Meaney, S, O'Donoghue, K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antenatal education; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Information Dissemination; Ireland; Irish population survey; Knowledge; Male; Middle Aged; Perceptions; Population studies; Pregnancy; Public health; Public opinion; Quantitative analysis; Risk factors; Stillbirth; stillbirth risk factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Telephone; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1470-0328; 1471-0528
• DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.14939

Objective To evaluate the general population's awareness of stillbirth. Design A cross‐sectional telephone population survey. Setting A nationally representative sample of the Irish adult population. Sample In all, 999 members of the Irish population were selected by random digit dialling. Methods Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the odds of identifying risk factors for stillbirth. Main outcome measures Public knowledge of incidence, risk factors, causes and social awareness about stillbirth. Results Only a minority, 17%, of respondents correctly identified the incidence of stillbirth. Men and those aged over 45 years were more likely to say they did not know when a stillbirth occurs. Over half, 56% of respondents were unable to identify any stillbirth risk factors. Half of respondents, 53%, believed that the cause of stillbirth was due to a problem with the baby, 39% a problem with the mother, while 31% believed stillbirth occurred as a result of the care provided to the mother. The majority, 79%, believed that all stillbirths should be medically investigated, although women were more likely to suggest this (82% versus 76.4%; P = 0.043). Stillbirth had been represented in traditional and online media for 75% of respondents and 54% said they personally knew someone who had a stillbirth. Conclusions There is a lack of public knowledge concerning the incidence, risk factors and causes of stillbirth. Improved public health initiatives and antenatal education are warranted to increase awareness of stillbirth risk factors and to improve care and monitoring during pregnancy. Funding No funding was granted for this study. Tweetable Irish population study shows low public awareness of stillbirth incidence, risk factors and causes. Plain Language Summary This study aimed to find out what the general public know about the risk factors associated with stillbirth and whether stillbirth can be prevented. Many stillbirth risk factors can be identified and when they are, healthcare professionals can monitor pregnancy and hopefully reduce the possibility of a baby dying before birth. A sample of 999 people from the Irish population was surveyed by a professional telephone polling company for this study. The results of this study found that most people did not know how common stillbirth was and also believed that only a minority could be prevented. Most people were not able to identify any risk f