RESUMO
PURPOSE: To examine whether ethnic differences in low birth weight babies of low-income women may be explained in part by group differences in prenatal health behaviors and psychosocial factors. METHODS: A prospective, survey of 1,071 low-income, primiparous African-American and Mexican-origin women was conducted in Los Angeles County, California. In face-to-face interviews, data were obtained on substance use, prenatal stress, social support, attitudes toward pregnancy, initiation of prenatal care, and medical risk. Medical chart data were abstracted regarding medical risk factors and labor, delivery, and neonatal data. Interview data were linked with birth outcome data retrieved from maternal medical records. Structural equation modeling was used to test a hypothesized model in which differences in birth weight were expected to be mediated by ethnic differences in substance use, psychosocial factors, and medical risk. RESULTS: As expected, African-American women delivered babies of earlier gestational age and lower birth weight than did women of Mexican origin. Direct predictors of low birth weight were use of drugs and cigarettes, prenatal stress, and positive attitudes toward pregnancy; together, these factors accounted for the observed ethnic differences in birth weight. CONCLUSION: These data contribute to our understanding of the factors that may account for ethnic-associated differences in low birth weight.
Assuntos
Peso ao Nascer , Etnicidade , Adolescente , Adulto , Negro ou Afro-Americano , Atitude Frente a Saúde , Parto Obstétrico , Feminino , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde , Humanos , Recém-Nascido de Baixo Peso , Recém-Nascido , Entrevistas como Assunto , Trabalho de Parto , Los Angeles , Americanos Mexicanos , México/etnologia , Pobreza , Gravidez , Resultado da Gravidez , Cuidado Pré-Natal , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal , Estudos Prospectivos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Apoio Social , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/etiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between acculturation of Mexican-origin women and factors in low birthweight and preterm delivery. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 911 Mexican-origin respondents in Los Angeles prenatal care clinics. Infant outcome data were retrieved from delivery records. RESULTS: Mexican-American women had generally more undesirable prenatal behaviors and risk factors than Mexican-immigrant women. Although higher acculturation was significantly associated with behavioral risk factors, there were no direct effects of acculturation on infant gestational age or birthweight. CONCLUSIONS: Future research needs to measure multiple factors to assess their effects on culture-specific protective factors.