Injury deaths, suicides and homicides associated with pregnancy, Finland 1987-2000.
BACKGROUND
Only few studies have been carried out on the relationship between pregnancy and deaths from external causes.


METHODS
Information on deaths from external causes among women aged 15-49 years in Finland in 1987-2000 (n = 5299) was linked to three national health registers to identify pregnancy-associated deaths (n = 212).


RESULTS
The mortality rate for women during pregnancy and within 1 year of pregnancy termination from external causes was lower than mortality from external causes among non-pregnant women (relative risk 0.79; 95% confidence interval 0.69-0.91). Owing to elevated suicide and homicide rates, however, an increased risk was observed for women after abortions, especially in the age group of 15-24 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The low rate of deaths from external causes suggests the protective effect of childbirth, but the elevated risk after a terminated pregnancy needs to be recognized in the provision of health care and social services.
Gissler
Mika
M
STAKES National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, STAKES Information Division, Helsinki, Finland. mika.gissler@stakes.fi
Berg
Cynthia
C
Bouvier-Colle
Marie-Hélène
MH
Buekens
Pierre
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012042:Registries; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality*