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[Pregnancy among single women in Niamey (Niger)]
C Vangeenderbuysen1, F L Souley
1Ministère de la Santé publique, Direction de la Sante familiale, Niamey, Niger. vangeen@toptechnology
The objectives of this study are to describe the socio-economic profile of single mothers and to specify the influence of this status on pregnancy and delivery. Between April 1995 and February 1996, a cohort study in Niamey allowed the selection of 181 single mothers, matched by age and parity with married pregnant women living in the same district. We used the McNemar's and Wilcoxon's statistic tests. In parallel, qualitative open interviews were conducted with patients and health care providers. Single mothers represent 6.1% of the study population. The median age was 19 years and 72% were primiparas. They received some level of education, at least primary and were well integrated in their districts. Twenty four per cent were employed and 31% had no income. Single mothers' attendance and punctuality at prenatal care centre were not as good as married women and also as their compliance with iron prophylactic treatment. The mode of delivery was identical but the risk of low birthweight infant was 2.4 more frequent in single mothers. Finally, knowledge of contraceptive methods and access to them were identical, but single mothers used them more frequently than married women.
The objectives of this study are to describe the socio-economic profile of single mothers and to specify the influence of this status on pregnancy and delivery. Between April 1995 and February 1996, a cohort study in Niamey allowed the selection of 181 single mothers, matched by age and parity with married pregnant women living in the same district. We used the McNemar's and Wilcoxon's statistic tests. In parallel, qualitative open interviews were conducted with patients and health care providers. Single mothers represent 6.1% of the study population. The median age was 19 years and 72% were primiparas. They received some level of education, at least primary and were well integrated in their districts. Twenty four per cent were employed and 31% had no income. Single mothers' attendance and punctuality at prenatal care centre were not as good as married women and also as their compliance with iron prophylactic treatment. The mode of delivery was identical but the risk of low birthweight infant was 2.4 more frequent in single mothers. Finally, knowledge of contraceptive methods and access to them were identical, but single mothers used them more frequently than married women.