title: The effect of CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care on preterm birth in a low-income population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of group prenatal care on rates of preterm birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 316 women in group prenatal care that was compared with 3767 women in traditional prenatal care. Women self-selected participation in group care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Risk factors for preterm birth were similar for group prenatal care vs traditional prenatal care: smoking (16.9% vs 20%; P = .17), sexually transmitted diseases (15.8% vs 13.7%; P = .29), and previous preterm birth (3.2% vs 5.4%; P = .08). Preterm delivery (<37 weeks' gestation) was lower in group care than traditional care (7.9% vs 12.7%; P = .01), as was delivery at <32 weeks' gestation (1.3% vs 3.1%; P = .03). Adjusted odds ratio for preterm birth for participants in group care was 0.53 (95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.81). The racial disparity in preterm birth for black women, relative to white and Hispanic women, was diminished for the women in group care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among low-risk women, participation in group care improves the rate of preterm birth compared with traditional care, especially among black women. Randomized studies are needed to eliminate selection bias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Greenville, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Amy H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Picklesimer
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Billings
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blackhurst
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Covington-Kolb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013022:South Carolina