The health of lone mothers in New Zealand

Abstract

Aims: To compare the sociodemographic characteristics and the mental and physical health status of lone and couple mothers, and to explore possible contributing factors to any differential health status identified.

Methods: Data from the 1996/97 New Zealand Health Survey were analysed. Lone and couple mothers were compared according to sociodemographic factors, health risk behaviours and three medical conditions. Their self-reported health was measured and compared using the SF-36 questionnaire. Multivariate analyses were performed to explore the possible contributing factors to any health disadvantage identified.

Results: Lone mothers (n=721) were more likely to be Maori, to have lower family incomes, lower educational qualifications and to live in more deprived areas. There were no significant differences between lone and couple mothers in their prevalence of probable asthma and diagnosed diabetes mellitus, or in their self-reported physical health status after adjustment for socioeconomic variables. However, lone mothers had higher rates of ever having been on medication for hypertension (OR=2.3; 1.2-4.1), and significantly worse self-reported mental health which persisted after adjustment for differences in socioeconomic and other factors.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that lone mothers are a vulnerable group and special consideration should be given to them if inequalities in health are to be addressed.