title: Prepregnancy Risk Factors for Preterm Birth and the Role of Maternal Nativity in a Low-Income, Hispanic Population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess potential prepregnancy risk factors for preterm birth in a low-income, Hispanic population in Southern California. Additionally, the study assessed whether the prevalence of preterm birth and any associations between risk factors and preterm birth differed between U.S.- and foreign-born mothers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample included 1174 mothers participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) within 1 year postpartum, including an augment sample of mothers who delivered preterm. Maternal sociodemographic traits, prepregnancy health-related characteristics and behaviors, and birth outcomes were collected by telephone survey. Odds ratios for associations between risk factors and preterm birth were estimated by logistic regression with sampling weights. Effect measure modification of any association by maternal nativity was also assessed using interaction terms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for confounding, significant prepregnancy risk factors for preterm birth included maternal age ≥35 years (OR 2.00; 95 % CI 1.04, 3.84) compared to age 18-24 years, and experience of a financially stressful life event among U.S.-born, but not foreign-born, women (OR 2.61; 95 % CI 1.43, 4.77). The weighted prevalence of preterm birth was 15.1 % and did not significantly differ by maternal nativity (P = 0.19).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further investigation with large, prospective studies is needed to better understand the risk factors for and disparities in preterm birth among the growing Hispanic population in the U.S. so that women who are at risk prepregnancy can be identified and provided risk-specific services.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, 101 Haviland Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720-7358, USA. sleonard@berkeley.edu.|Public Health Foundation Enterprises Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, 12781 Schabarum Ave., Irwindale, CA, 91706, USA. sleonard@berkeley.edu.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Crespi
authors.affiliation: Public Health Foundation Enterprises Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, 12781 Schabarum Ave., Irwindale, CA, 91706, USA.
authors.forename: Denise C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Gee
authors.affiliation: Department of Nonclinical Biostatistics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Yuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Public Health Foundation Enterprises Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, 12781 Schabarum Ave., Irwindale, CA, 91706, USA.
authors.forename: Shannon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Whaley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000592:standards*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Emigrants and immigrants; Hispanic Americans; Preconception care; Premature birth