Poverty and Preterm Birth Risk
Author Information
Author(s): Emily A DeFranco, Min Lian, Louis A Muglia, Mario Schootman
Primary Institution: Washington University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
What is the independent effect of county-level poverty on preterm birth risk?
Conclusion
Women residing in socioeconomically deprived areas are at increased risk of preterm birth, above other underlying risk factors.
Supporting Evidence
- The overall rate of preterm birth < 35 weeks was 3.9%.
- The rate of preterm birth increased with increasing county poverty rate.
- Women in the highest poverty quartile had an adjusted odds ratio of 1.18 for preterm birth.
Takeaway
If you live in a poor area, you might have a higher chance of having a baby too early. This is important because it can affect many families.
Methodology
Multilevel logistic regression analysis using Missouri's birth certificate database from 1989 to 1997.
Potential Biases
Potential underreporting of obstetric and medical risk factors could bias the results.
Limitations
The study could not account for other county-level factors that might influence the association between poverty and preterm birth risk.
Participant Demographics
The study population was 82.4% White, 16.1% Black, with a mean maternal age of 27 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.03, 1.35
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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