Birth Defects, Causal Attributions, and Ethnicity in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study

Abstract

In order to translate research findings into effective prevention strategies, it is important to understand people's beliefs about the causes of poor health outcomes. However, with the exception of knowledge and beliefs about folic acid supplementation, little is known regarding women's causal attributions women regarding birth defects. We employed Attribution Theory constructs to analyze open-text interview responses from 2,672 control mothers in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study who gave birth in 1997-2005. Common themes included use of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and medications during pregnancy. Stress and emotional upset were also suggested as possible causes of birth defects. Genetic- and heredity-related responses were more likely to be mentioned by Asian/Pacific Islander women compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Hispanic women were less likely to suggest several specific possible teratogens, such as paint, pesticides, or other chemicals, but were more likely to suggest events occurring during childbirth. Differences also emerged among ethnic groups for theoretical constructs, although most responses were categorized as controllable, changeable over time, and with an internal locus of causality.

Investigating the causes of birth defects.

“…Congenital birth defects may be caused due to parental genetics, lifestyle, exposure to chemicals and rays or certain medications, infectious and nutritional factors during pregnancy, or maybe a combination of any of these factors, which can lead to problematic chromosomal mutational changes 18 . Birth defects can be fatal or non-fatal, and in both cases, they cause a long-term negative impact on individuals, families, the health sector, and society 18 . According to WHO, the most commonly found birth defects are neural tube, heart, and Down's syndrome.…”

Associations between maternal reports of periconceptional fever from miscellaneous causes and structural birth defects

“…However, in order for this to account for the results in this study, mothers of cases must be aware that maternal fever is a risk factor for birth defects. In an analysis of NBDPS mothers, Case et al (2014) studied responses to a final question on the interview (What do you think causes birth defects?). The most common responses given by study participants were: illicit drugs (15% of all responses), alcohol (14%), smoking/tobacco (9%) and genetics/heredity (6%; Case et al, 2014).…”

“…In an analysis of NBDPS mothers, Case et al (2014) studied responses to a final question on the interview (What do you think causes birth defects?). The most common responses given by study participants were: illicit drugs (15% of all responses), alcohol (14%), smoking/tobacco (9%) and genetics/heredity (6%; Case et al, 2014). Only 2% of the study participants mentioned fever as a possible cause.…”

More Alike than Different: Latina Immigrants’ Cancer Causal Attributions

“…1 Relative ranking is the ranking of the item relative to all other items based on the average ranking across all participants' rankings of that item. 2 Average ranking is the mean ranking across all participants' rankings of that item. 3 Number and percentage of participants who freelisted each item is based on participants who mentioned that item without category prompts.…”

“…According to Arthur Kleinman's explanatory models of illness, causal beliefs are one of ve components of an individual's more global understanding of an illness (Kleinman, Eisenberg, & Good, 1978). Meanwhile, attribution theory posits that causal beliefs serve as a lter through which health messages are received and interpreted and partially in uence whether or not such messages are acted upon (Case, Royle, & Scheuerle, 2014). King (1982) expands on attribution theory by combining it with elements of the health belief model (HBM), stating that illness attributions both precede and directly impact health beliefs and then indirectly impact health behavior (King, 1982).…”