Abstract
Background
The prevalence of stillbirth in many high income countries like Australia has remained
unchanged for over 30 years. The 2018 Australian government Senate Select Committee
on Stillbirth Research and Education highlighted the need for a public health campaign
to encourage public conversations and increase awareness. However, there is little
evidence about the community’s knowledge and perceptions towards pregnancy and stillbirth,
nor their aspirations for a public health campaign.
Aims
To assess the general knowledge, perceptions, myths and attitudes towards stillbirth
to inform future public health campaigns.
Methods
Australian participants (n = 344; predominately women n = 294 (85.5%)) were recruited
via Facebook.com. They completed a cross-sectional online survey designed to assess
their knowledge of pregnancy and stillbirth, with additional questions on socio-demographic
characteristics.
Results
Stillbirth knowledge and awareness of incidence was low in this sample. Prominent
myths, such as baby runs out of room in the uterus (n = 112, 33%) and baby slows down
when preparing for labour (n = 24, 27%) were endorsed. Only 25% (n = 85) knew the
prevalence of stillbirth in Australia (six per day). Almost two-thirds (n = 205; 62%)
agreed that there needs to be a public health campaign, however one in five (n = 65;
20%) were concerned that talking about stillbirth with pregnant women may cause them
to worry.
Discussion and conclusion
Our findings reinforce the need for a targeted campaign, which educates the general
population about the definition and prevalence of stillbirth, stillbirth risks and
modifiable health behaviours. Appropriate messaging should target pregnant women during
antenatal care as well as their support and care systems (family, friends, and care
providers).
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 30, 2021
Accepted:
June 24,
2021
Received in revised form:
May 26,
2021
Received:
March 30,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
