Precursors of preterm birth: comparison of three ethnic groups in the middle East and the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To examine factors related to preterm birth in three ethnic groups and in three different countries.


METHODS
Data were obtained on a convenience sample of 118 Lebanese mothers, 104 Egyptian mothers, 40 Mexican American mothers, and 32 White American mothers from Southern California. About half of each cohort had delivered a preterm newborn and half a full-term newborn. Mothers with premature or full-term newborns completed a questionnaire by interview. Analysis compared ethnic groups and preterm- versus full-term birth groups. Multiple logistic regression determined relatedness to outcome.


RESULTS
Descriptive factors differed among groups, but not for preterm versus full-term newborn groups. Significant factors for premature birth were vaginal infections, stress, smoking, drug use, and protein intake. Factors significantly related to preterm birth in the Middle-Eastern and American groups were almost identical: social support, stress, and exercise. Smoking was related only in the American group.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest risk factors are similar across nations and ethnic groups. Prenatal counseling and programs should address these four issues.
Badr
Lina Kurdahi
LK
DNSc, UCLA School of Nursing, 700 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. linakbadr@hotmail.com
Abdallah
Bahia
B
Mahmoud
Ahalam
A
D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D004534:Egypt / Q000208:ethnology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D007861:Lebanon / Q000208:ethnology; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000208:ethnology*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology*
D004044:Dietary Proteins