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Injury deaths, suicides and homicides associated with pregnancy, Finland 1987-2000
Mika Gissler1, Cynthia Berg, Marie-Hélène Bouvier-Colle
1STAKES National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, STAKES Information Division, Helsinki, Finland. mika.gissler@stakes.fi
Background:
Only few studies have been carried out on the relationship between pregnancy and deaths from external causes.
Methods:
Information on deaths from external causes among women aged 15-49 years in Finland in 1987-2000 (n = 5299) was linked to three national health registers to identify pregnancy-associated deaths (n = 212).
Results:
The mortality rate for women during pregnancy and within 1 year of pregnancy termination from external causes was lower than mortality from external causes among non-pregnant women (relative risk 0.79; 95% confidence interval 0.69-0.91). Owing to elevated suicide and homicide rates, however, an increased risk was observed for women after abortions, especially in the age group of 15-24 years.
Conclusions:
The low rate of deaths from external causes suggests the protective effect of childbirth, but the elevated risk after a terminated pregnancy needs to be recognized in the provision of health care and social services.
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