Characteristics of young women who gave birth in the US-Mexico border region, 2005: the Brownsville-Matamoros Sister City Project for Women's Health.
BACKGROUND
Childbearing during adolescence and young adulthood is associated with adverse effects on health and quality of life. Lowering birth rates among young women is a binational priority in the US-Mexico border region, yet baseline information about birth rates and pregnancy risk is lacking. Increased understanding of the characteristics of young women who give birth in the region will help target high-risk groups for sexual and reproductive health services.


METHODS
We examined data on reproductive health characteristics collected in hospitals from 456 women aged 24 years or younger who gave birth from August 21 through November 9, 2005, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and Cameron County, Texas. We calculated weighted percentages and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each characteristic and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for Matamoros and Cameron County women by using multiple logistic regression techniques.


RESULTS
Numbers of births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years and 20 to 24 years were similar in the 2 communities (110.6 and 190.2 in Matamoros and 97.5 and 213.1 in Cameron County, respectively). Overall, 38.5% of women experienced cesarean birth. Matamoros women reported fewer prior pregnancies than did Cameron County women and were less likely to receive early prenatal care but more likely to initiate breastfeeding. Few women smoked before pregnancy, but the prevalence of alcohol use in Cameron County was more than double that of Matamoros. In both communities combined, 34.0% of women used contraception at first sexual intercourse.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite geographic proximity, similar ethnic origin, and comparable birth outcomes, young Mexican and US women showed different health behavior patterns. Findings suggest possible pregnancy prevention and health promotion interventions.
Galván González
Francisco Gerardo
FG
Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Coordinación Delegacional de Salud Reproductiva, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Mirchandani
Gita G
GG
McDonald
Jill A
JA
Ruiz
Mauro
M
Echegollen Guzmán
Alonso
A
Castrucci
Brian C
BC
Gossman
Ginger L
GL
Lewis
Kayan L
KL
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008800:Mexico; D036801:Parturition; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D015980:Public Health Practice; D034121:Reproductive Health Services; D013781:Texas; D055815:Young Adult
Salud Publica Mex. 2003;45 Suppl 1:S140-52
12602157
BMC Public Health. 2005 Mar 03;5:20
15745443
Matern Child Health J. 2008 May;12(3):342-56
17592761
MMWR Surveill Summ. 2007 Nov 23;56(9):1-33
18030283
Prev Chronic Dis. 2008 Oct;5(4):A126
18793514
Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2006 Dec 28;55(11):1-18
17432301
Prev Chronic Dis. 2008 Oct;5(4):A116
18793504
Sex Transm Dis. 2008 Mar;35(3):263-8
18032996
Birth. 2005 Jun;32(2):93-8
15918865
Vital Health Stat 23. 2004 Dec;(24):1-48
15648540
MMWR Surveill Summ. 2006 Jun 9;55(5):1-108
16760893
Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2007 Dec 5;56(6):1-103
18277471
Salud Publica Mex. 2006 Jan-Feb;48(1):3-12
16555529
Lancet. 2006 Oct 28;368(9546):1472-3
17071266
Am J Prev Med. 2005 Aug;29(2):143-8
16005811
Salud Publica Mex. 2008 Jan-Feb;50(1):10-6
18297178
Ethn Dis. 2001 Autumn;11(3):496-518
11572416