ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare birth outcomes between non-US-born and US-born Hispanic women in North Carolina (NC). METHODS: A retrospective comparison of birth outcomes from linked NC birth/death certificate data (1993-1997) for 22,234 Hispanic births by mother's place of birth was conducted. RESULTS: Mexico-born Hispanic women (58%) had significantly fewer medical risks, tobacco or alcohol use during pregnancy; however, they also had significantly less education and prenatal care than US-born Hispanic women (21%). Infant mortality rate, low birth weight, and prematurity were low and did not differ significantly. Lethal anomalies were the primary cause of infant mortality in non-US-born Hispanics versus Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in US-born Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increased risk factors among US-born women, we found no difference in Hispanic birth outcomes in NC by mother's place of birth. These data contradict national data and may be related to findings of both positive and negative aspects of acculturation in NC.
Subject(s)
Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data , Pregnancy Outcome/ethnology , Adult , Birth Certificates , Birth Weight , Comorbidity , Death Certificates , Female , Gestational Age , Hispanic or Latino/classification , Hispanic or Latino/education , Humans , Infant Mortality , Infant, Newborn , Latin America/ethnology , Medical Record Linkage , North Carolina/epidemiology , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications/ethnology , Pregnancy Outcome/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The study was undertaken to compare Hispanic birth outcomes with those of white and African American women in North Carolina and to examine variables associated with adverse birth outcomes among Hispanic women. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparison of birth outcomes by ethnicity/race, from linked birth/infant death certificates in North Carolina (1993-1997) was conducted. Multivariate, binary logistic regression and chi(2) analysis were used to examine relationships between available medical and sociodemographic index values and composite birth outcomes among Hispanic women. RESULTS: Infant mortality rates were lowest among Hispanic women. Low birth weight and prematurity rates were similar to those of white women and lower than those of African American women. Variables significantly related to healthy composite birth outcomes among Hispanic women included higher education, no preterm delivery history, prenatal care, marriage, and no daily tobacco use. CONCLUSION: Hispanic birth outcomes in North Carolina were better than those of African American women and similar to those of white women, despite use of prenatal care and socioeconomic characteristics similar to African American women.
