Correlates of pregnant women's active and passive mobility: A smartphone-based tracking study in Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Understanding the factors that shape daily mobility during pregnancy is essential for inclusive transportation planning that promotes active travel for all. Using smartphone-based Global Positioning System data from 860 pregnant women in Barcelona, Spain, we evaluated the correlates of active and passive travel in early and late pregnancy. We identified 33 correlates from 48 candidate variables including personal characteristics, the residential physical environment, the social environment, and temporal factors. The most important correlate across pregnancy was non-European ethnic origin, being associated with 10–15 min less daily active travel. In early pregnancy, commuting distance was the most important correlate, being positively associated with passive travel, while the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with less passive travel. In late pregnancy, residential walkability and having a university degree were positively associated with active travel. The neighbourhood education level was associated with more active travel, particularly during weekends. We discuss key priorities for supporting active travel during pregnancy.