Relationships among Health Promoting Behaviors and Maternal and Infant Birth Outcomes in Older Pregnant Thais

Given that approximately 36% of all Thai births are by women 35 years of age and older, advanced maternal aged women experience poor perinatal outcomes, and limited data exists regarding factors associated with negative maternal and infant outcomes among older pregnant Thais, this prospective correlational research sought to describe the relationships among health promoting behaviors, and maternal and infant outcomes in older pregnant Thais. The sample consisted of 142 pregnant Thais who were 35 years of age or older and receiving antenatal care in one of four public hospitals in northeastern Thailand. Data were collected via a Personal Characteristics Questionnaire, the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile II Scale, and each subject's medical record. The results revealed that gestational diabetes mellitus, premature labor, breech presentation, pregnancy-induced hypertension, premature rupture of membrane, and antepartum hemorrhage were the most frequently reported maternal outcomes. The infants' complications included fetal distress, preterm delivery, and low birth weight. Although the subjects reported a high level of health promoting behavior, a significant negative correlation was found between their health promoting behavior scores and antepartum hemorrhage. On the other hand, no significant relationships were found among the mothers' health promoting behaviors and the infants' outcomes. Thus, interventions that enhance health promoting behaviors may help to prevent some of the poor maternal outcomes that can occur in this at-risk population.