ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between previous abortion and low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PB). METHOD: The study examined live, singleton births using data from the United States Collaborative Perinatal Project. Logistic regression was used to control for obstetric and medical history, and lifestyle and demographic factors. RESULT: Compared with women with no history of abortion, women who had one, two and three or more previous abortions were 2.8 (95% CI 2.48 to 3.07), 4.6 (95% CI 3.94 to 5.46) and 9.5 (95% CI 7.72 to 11.67) times more likely to have LBW, respectively. The risk for PB was also 1.7 (95% CI 1.52 to 1.83), 2.0 (95% CI 1.73 to 2.37) and 3.0 (95% CI 2.47 to 3.70) times higher for women with a history of one, two and three or more previous abortions, respectively. CONCLUSION: Previous abortion is a significant risk factor for LBW and PB, and the risk increases with the increasing number of previous abortions. Practitioners should consider previous abortion as a risk factor for LBW and PB.
Subject(s)
Abortion, Induced/adverse effects , Abortion, Spontaneous/epidemiology , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Premature Birth/etiology , Abortion, Induced/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Age Distribution , Educational Status , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature , Parity , Pregnancy , Premature Birth/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The objectives of this study are to identify knowledge and attitude variables that correlate with smokeless tobacco use and how youth users and non-users differ in their attitudes and knowledge about smokeless tobacco. A randomized cluster sample of 1834 total fifth, eighth, and 11th grade students in West Virginia public schools during the 1996-1997 school year were surveyed on smokeless tobacco knowledge, attitudes and practices. Data from 648 male non-users and 160 male monthly and daily users of smokeless tobacco were compared using chi 2 and two-tailed t-tests. Logistic regression analysis of survey variables revealed the following correlates of smokeless tobacco use: having a family member not living in the home who uses, having a friend who uses, playing football, having tried cigarettes, and having parents who would permit use at home. Important differences exist in knowledge and attitudes regarding smokeless tobacco between users and non-users in fifth, eighth, and 11th grade West Virginia public schools. Correlates of smokeless tobacco use are identified which can be used to target prevention programs.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Plants, Toxic , Tobacco, Smokeless , Adolescent , Child , Family Relations , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Peer Group , Risk Factors , Schools , SportsABSTRACT
PIP: Research in contraceptive technology, investments in family planning programs, and the availability of safe abortion are essential not only to control population growth and improve the health of mothers and children, but also to improve the status of women. At present, however, it is estimated that 25% of married women in sub-Saharan Africa, 18% in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 13% in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa have an unmet need for contraception. Without rapid advances in access to family planning, more women will die during this decade from pregnancy, childbirth, and abortion than in any other decade in history. Although the 1994 Cairo Conference achieved consensus on a range of reproductive health issues, strategies for implementing and funding these programs remain undefined.^ieng
