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Health behaviours of young mothers: Implications for health promotion and cancer prevention

Hackshaw-McGeagh, Lucy; Jamie, Kimberly; Beynon, Rhona; O’Neill, Roisin

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Authors

Lucy Hackshaw-McGeagh

Rhona Beynon

Roisin O’Neill



Abstract

Objective: Evidence suggests that younger mothers engage in poorer health behaviours, resulting in increased cancer risk. We aimed to better understand the health behaviours of younger mothers and the factors that influence their lifestyle choices, in order to improve cancer prevention within this population. Methods: A multiple focus group, photo-elicitation-aided approach was used, in which young mothers (n = 27; aged 16–24 years) were provided with cameras and asked to capture ‘a week in your life’. Photographs were developed and participants invited to an initial focus group where photographs were used to elicit discussion, exploring participants’ health behaviours. Data were thematically analysed particularly identifying themes relating to barriers and facilitators of positive health behaviours. Participants were later invited to participate in a second focus group, to explore and validate identified themes further. Results: Themes emerged from the data relating to (1) the mothers’ personal perceptions of health, (2) health-related behaviours and (3) beliefs about cancer and its causes. Barriers to positive health behaviours included a lack of money, childcare and cookery skills; facilitators included the social media, commercial weight loss programmes and local community organisations. Conclusion: Study findings provide insight into the health behaviours and life choices of young mothers. They help illustrate health perceptions in relation to cancer risk, providing an understanding of how their daily routine and circumstance influence young women’s decisions and lifestyle behaviour choices and highlighting barriers to, and facilitators of, positive health behaviours. Data hold potential to inform future health-related research among young mothers, particularly relating to cancer prevention intervention.

Citation

Hackshaw-McGeagh, L., Jamie, K., Beynon, R., & O’Neill, R. (2018). Health behaviours of young mothers: Implications for health promotion and cancer prevention. Health Education Journal, 77(3), 277-292. https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896917745106

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 6, 2017
Online Publication Date Dec 20, 2017
Publication Date Apr 1, 2018
Deposit Date Jan 16, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Health Education Journal
Print ISSN 0017-8969
Electronic ISSN 1748-8176
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 77
Issue 3
Pages 277-292
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896917745106

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