[Fertility in Spain, 1996-2006: foreign versus Spanish women].
OBJECTIVE
To determine fertility trends in Spain and whether women's specific fertility rates differ by age and nationality during the period 1996-2006.


METHODS
We performed a population-based, cross-sectional study. Direct standardization was used to compare fertility rates by nationality. Foreign versus Spanish women's fertility rates by age and the period under review were compared by a generalized linear model. The trend by nationality was described by time plots and was analyzed by simple linear regression models.


RESULTS
Foreign women had more children (total fertility rate: 2 versus 1.2) and at younger age. The upward trend observed in the fertility of Spanish women (p<0.001) was primarily due to increased fertility in older mothers (35 years and older). The fertility of foreign women aged < or =19 was six times higher than that of Spanish women (rate ratio: 6.00, 95% CI: 2.60-13.86).


CONCLUSIONS
The fertility pattern of foreign women differs from that of Spanish women and is mainly characterized by higher fertility, especially in younger women (< or =19 years). This pattern may be associated with social and cultural differences. Prevention and sexual educational policies should be reformulated to take into account the specific sociocultural characteristics of this group and to adapt prevention messages to their cultural context.
Luque Fernández
Miguel Angel
MA
Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Programa de Epidemiología Aplicada de Campo, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España. fmiguelangel@isciii.es
Bueno-Cavanillas
Aurora
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult