Predictive social factors in relation to preterm birth in a metropolitan region.
OBJECTIVE
Preterm birth is an important indicator of neonatal wellbeing. Infants born preterm are at higher risk for severe morbidity and mortality. Apart from medical risk factors, social factors are also associated with preterm birth. This study aims to provide knowledge on factors which have a predictive role in relation to preterm birth.


METHODS
Cross-sectional population study.


METHODS
The Brussels metropolitan region.


METHODS
Women who gave birth in the Brussels metropolitan region in 2004. In total, 8,586 birth registration forms were reviewed for this study.


METHODS
Associations between educational level, occupation, marital status, age, and origin with preterm birth (<37 weeks).


METHODS
After bivariate analyses, significant correlations were explored in a stepwise logistic regression model. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for each of the significant characteristics in the final model.


RESULTS
The risk of preterm birth was found to be associated with age, origin, and marital status. After controlling for confounding factors, the two most important social risk factors for preterm birth were being a teenage mother (OR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.31-3.53) or single mother (OR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.17-1.91).


CONCLUSIONS
Being a teenage or single mother are important social risk factors for preterm birth. We hypothesize that the increased risk is related to prenatal care trajectories. To obtain a better understanding of preterm birth occurrences, further research should focus on mapping these trajectories and specifically targeting the most vulnerable groups.
Beeckman
Katrien
K
Department of Medical Sociology and Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, Belgium. katrien.beeckman@vub.ac.be
van De Putte
Sabine
S
Putman
Koen
K
Louckx
Fred
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016015:Logistic Models; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population