Pregnancy related risk perception
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A quantitative study of pregnancy and birth related risk perception among pregnant women, midwives and obstetricians.
IRAS ID
186574
Contact name
Suzanne Lee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
City, University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 30 days
Research summary
Research shows risk perception of pregnant women and healthcare professionals differs and this can lead to communication difficulties between the two groups. However, currently there is very little research in this area. This study will compare risk perception between pregnant women, midwives and obstetricians by presenting them with the same scenarios and asking them to make a judgement about the degree of risk contained in each one, allowing for a direct comparison between groups. It will also examine whether risk perception is associated with anxiety, length of professional experience (for healthcare professionals), and number of risk factors experienced (for pregnant women).
Participants will complete a questionnaire measuring the degree of risk they perceive in various pregnancy and birth related scenarios. Participants will be asked to indicate the degree of risk they believe each scenario poses, indicated on a visual analogue scale consisting of a line representing a continuum from minimal risk to wellbeing to extreme risk to wellbeing. Participants will also indicate how anxious they are feeling prior to completing the questionnaire and either their length of professional experience or pregnancy risk status. Total number of participants will be at least 159.
The researcher will provide information to Trusts about the study. The questionnaire will be emailed to staff for them to complete online or paper as preferred. Consent to participate in the study will be indicated on questionnaire. Pregnant women will be approached by the researcher when they attend their ultrasound scan between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy. They will complete the questionnaire at the time or in their own time as they prefer.
Findings will be analysed with appropriate statistical tests. Results of this study will be of interest to any professionals working with pregnant women and aims to improve communication with this group.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
16/NS/0027
Date of REC Opinion
11 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion