RESUMO
PIP: This study was designed to determine the influence of socio- psychological characteristics on reproductive outcomes among emergency cases admitted into the Labor Ward of the University College Hospital in Ibadan City, Nigeria. The study took place between May 1, 1984 and February 28, 1985 and included all emergency cases admitted (EA) into the hospital. 144 matched pairs of patients (emergency and booked cases) were admitted into the study making a total of 228 patients. Results of the study showed no observed differences in the educational or occupational status of the spouses of booked patients compared with EA. However, there were more uneducated women among the EA than the booked. IN both groups younger patients (15-34) had format education compared with the older patients (35+), strengthening the hypothesis that education is the most influential factor in patient's acceptance of modern maternity care. Polygamy and Islam were more prevalent among the EA than the booked. It is believed that the economic affects of polygamy exercise more direct adverse effects on reproduction than religion. The purdah system, practiced by Moslems confines women to their homes, interfering with their ability to get pre-natal care. Fewer number of EA lived with their spouses compared with booked patients. Lower social class is associated with larger numbers of adverse factors in reproductive outcomes such as increased rates of low birth weight babies, multiple pregnancies and fetal abnormalities. (Author's modified).^ieng
