Natalia M. Grindler|Amanda A. Allshouse|Emily S. Jungheim|Theresa L. Powell|Thomas Jansson|Alex J. Polotsky
OBGYN screening for environmental exposures: A call for action
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus|Colorado School of Public Health|University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus|Washington University in St. Louis|University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus|University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus|University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
background prenatal exposures known adverse effects maternal neonatal outcomes professional societies recommend routine screening environmental occupational dietary exposures reduce exposures associated sequelae objective objective determine frequency environmental exposure screening obstetricians gynecologists obgyns initial patient visits study design practicing obgyns approached university colorado social media survey instrument queried demographics environmental literacy screening practices statistical analysis performed using chisquare twosample ttest results received 312 online survey responses response rate 12 responding obgyns predominantly female 96 boardcertified 78 generalists 65 mean age 371 years fewer half physicians screened following factors occupational exposures environmental chemicals air pollution pesticide use personal care products household cleaners water source use plastics food storage lead mercury exposure eighty five percent respondents reported feel comfortable obtaining environmental history 58 respondents reported performed regular screening environmental exposures higher frequency screening associated 4 years practice p 0001 read environmental committee opinion p 0001 conclusion majority obgyns incorporate screening known environmental exposures routine practice reading environmental committee opinions strongly significantly associated higher rate screening improving physician comfort counseling patients may enhance screening exposures affect reproductive health