Preconception health: an analysis of the RCGP RSC database
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Preconception health characteristics and trends among women and men in England: a national sentinel network database study
IRAS ID
286370
Contact name
Danielle Schoenaker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
Parental health before pregnancy sets the foundation for a successful and healthy pregnancy and the subsequent lifelong health of the next generation. There is now compelling evidence to suggest that a range of preconception health behaviours such as poor nutrition and smoking, long-term physical and mental health problems, as well as socio-economic factors are associated with adverse outcomes during and after pregnancy for women and their offspring. Despite the scientific evidence and the broad interest in health before and between pregnancies, awareness of the links with maternal and child health and the actions needed to optimise preconception health are not widespread among the public, and among primary healthcare professionals.
The National Institute for health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends various preconception care strategies to improve preconception health. While these recommendations exist, there has been little evidence of widespread implementation. In order to place preconception health on the agenda of governments and other relevant organisations and to hold them accountable for developing and delivering successful interventions and campaigns, this study aims to describe the nation’s state of preconception health overall and among potentially vulnerable or high-risk groups, and to monitor progress towards improvements.
This study is a secondary analysis of existing anonymised data recorded in the Oxford-Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC) database. This database includes over 1.5 million patients aged 16-45 years who were registered with a primary care practice participating in the RCGP RSC network between 2004 and 2019. Data on wider determinants of health, reproductive health, pregnancy history, health behaviours, and past medical diagnoses will be examined, to provide national population-level evidence on preconception health in England.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0353
Date of REC Opinion
16 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion