The effect of Self-Rated Health in Pregnancy on the type of delivery in Bandar Abbas pregnancy cohort, 2016-2018

Abstract Background Self-rated health in pregnancy can be a predictor of adverse childbirth outcomes and maternal health problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of maternal self-rated health on the type of delivery in Bandar Abbas pregnancy cohort.Methods This study used data of 247 mothers registered in a prospective cohort study on pregnant women in the suburbs of Bandar Abbas city, South of Iran. Self-rated health of mothers in pregnancy was measured by the answer to the question: “How do you evaluate your health in general?” The study outcome defined as having cesarean section measured at the second visit during postpartum period. The relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using Cox regression models.Results The prevalence of bad/poor, good/excellent Self-rated health and cesarean section was 19.3% (n=42), 80.97% (n=200) and 40%, respectively. Compared to good self-rated health, the risk of cesarean section was 78% higher (RR= 1.78, 95% CI 1.32-2.4) in mothers with bad self-rated health. The risk of elective cesarean section and emergency cesarean section was 72% (RR= 1.72, 95% CI 1.09– 2.7) and 91% (RR= 1.91, 95% CI 1.04- 3.48) higher in mothers with bad self-rated health, respectively.Conclusion Our findings showed that self-rated health during pregnancy may effect cesarean section. Accordingly, the integration of screening for mental health morbidities into pregnancy health care packages are proposed.