Ethnicity, acculturation and obstetric outcomes. Different risk factor profiles in low- and high-acculturation...

To compare risk factors and birth outcomes among low- and high-acculturated Hispanics and white non-Hispanics.

Information on 1,172 women who delivered was collected in a cross-sectional study at a public hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. We compared 3 groups: low-(reference group) and high-acculturated Hispanics and white non-Hispanics. Acculturation was defined within Hispanics by predominant orientation: Latin America (low) or United States (high).

Prevalence of substance abuse and interpersonal violence was highest in the white non-Hispanics when compared to low-acculturated Hispanics, and intermediate in the high-acculturation group. Births to women < 17 years old were highest in the high-acculturation group. Preterm labor and pregnancy-induced hypertension were more common in white non-Hispanics. Sexually transmitted disease was more likely in the high-acculturated Hispanic group. Diabetes was more common in both comparison groups, high-acculturated and white non-Hispanic.

High-acculturated Hispanics, like high-risk white non-Hispanics, had more risk factors and adverse obstetric outcomes than the low-acculturated group. The acculturation process may lead to difficulty for Hispanics in the United States.