Early pregnancy health and behavioural patterns among Malaysian women

Maternal health during pregnancy critically influences birth outcomes and child development. Understanding maternal characteristics is essential for identifying risk factors and guiding interventions. This study describes baseline maternal characteristics from the Pregnancy Exposures and Outcomes Monitoring in Malaysia (PEN-MUM) cohort, which investigates determinants of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women attending public health clinics in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted using baseline data from PEN-MUM, which recruited pregnant women aged 18–49 years with gestational ages between 12–18 weeks. Data were collected from March 2022 to March 2023 at 20 government clinics using digital and physical forms. Variables included socio-demographics, health status, behaviours, and health literacy. Results: Participants were predominantly young Malay women with tertiary education (56.0%). Nearly half were employed in the private sector, while 38.1% were unemployed. Most were married, lived in urban settings, and belonged to the low-income group. Over half resided within 5 km of a clinic. Many had small, nuclear families; nearly half were nulliparous, and over 20% had prior miscarriage or caesarean deliveries. One-third booked antenatal care late. About 45% were overweight or obese; 57% had inadequate and 29% had excessive weight gain. Anaemia and gestational diabetes were prevalent (26.6% and 39.0%, respectively). Smoking exposure, poor sleep, food taboos (76.1%), and non-adherence to supplementation were common. Maternal health literacy was moderate to high (Mean=113.06±22.88). Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing late antenatal booking, nutrition, smoking exposure, and cultural practices, alongside improving maternal health literacy to enhance pregnancy outcomes.

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