School
School of Public Health
Document Type
Dissertation
Department (new version)
Public Health
Date of Award
2002
Degree Name by School
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) School of Public Health
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if there is variation in birth outcomes to U.S.-born women that moved to or within the U.S. southern region. The 1995, 1996, and 1997 national files of linked birth/infant death certificates were combined to examine the relationship between maternal characteristics and adverse birth outcomes. The data were classified by maternal race (non-Hispanic African American and White American), and maternal mobility status was categorized into three groups: (a) nonmigrants—born in the southern region and delivered in their state of birth, (b) inter-region migrants—born in the southern region and delivered in a southern state other than their state of birth, and (c) southern region migrants—born in a nonsouthern state and delivered in the southern region. Statistically significant differences were found for maternal characteristics in each regional mobility status and race group. The incidence of adverse birth outcomes for both race groups was greater for infants born to nonmigrant women than for infants born to women who reside at delivery in a state or region different from their state of birth. The logistic regression analyses, adjusted for maternal characteristics, revealed a greater risk of adverse birth outcomes (except mortality outcomes) for infants born to nonmigrant women. The racial disparity for very preterm, low birth weight, very low birth weight, neonatal death, and infant mortality outcomes from 1995–1997 remain 2:1 for infants born to African American and White American women. Data analyses for a subset of women who did not smoke or had a previous pregnancy loss indicated no change in adverse birth outcomes for infants born to nonmigrant women. Results of this study suggest migration is a selective process, whereby migrant women compared with nonmigrant women have a lower prevalence of risk factors and adverse birth outcomes, except for infant mortality outcomes. This study provides insight into the characteristics and prevalence of risk for adverse birth outcomes of U.S.-born women who do not migrate and those who do migrate to and within the southern region. Further research is needed to advance our understanding of health experiences of U.S.-born women who migrate.
ProQuest Publication Number
ProQuest ID
3065742
ISBN
978-0-493-85322-2
Recommended Citation
Carter Tucker, Pattie Jo, "The impact of maternal race, birthplace, and regional mobility status on birth outcomes" (2002). All ETDs from UAB. 7218.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7218
Comments
DrPH