Maternal unemployment: an indicator of spontaneous preterm delivery risk.
The aim of this study was to assess the association between maternal employment and preterm delivery. A nationwide case-control study was conducted in 25 Portuguese public maternities. During a 4-month period, 769 consecutive single spontaneous preterm (<37 gestation weeks) live births and 1,053 term singleton babies born immediately after each preterm, were evaluated. Information was obtained by attending physicians using a questionnaire, with special emphasis on maternal work characterization. Logistic regression odds ratios (OR) were adjusted for maternal age, marital status, education and obstetrical characteristics. Women entering pregnancy while unemployed presented a significantly increased risk of spontaneous preterm delivery (OR=1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-1.88). Weekly duration of work (<40 versus >or=40 h) had no significant effect on the occurrence of spontaneous preterm (OR=1.2; 95% CI 0.88-1.54). Unemployed women presented a significant increase in the risk of preterm delivery.
Rodrigues
Teresa
T
Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal Al. Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal. tererod@med.up.pt
Barros
Henrique
H
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014478:Unemployment; D055815:Young Adult