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Nurse-midwifery services in one multi-ethnic, underserved community
J T Fullerton1, L Palinkas, C Cavero
1Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0809.
Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
|January 1, 1991
Summary
This study compared maternal health among Hispanic, Caucasian, and Southeast Asian women, finding that Hispanic and Southeast Asian women received less prenatal care and pain management during delivery compared to Caucasian women.
Area of Science:
- Maternal Health
- Health Disparities
- Nurse-Midwifery
Background:
- Limited research exists on comparative maternal health outcomes across diverse ethnic groups.
- Nurse-midwifery services serve mixed urban/rural agricultural communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare maternal risk factors, prenatal care, labor/delivery, and birth outcomes among low-income Mexican-American Hispanic, Caucasian, and Southeast Asian women.
- To provide a three-way analysis of these demographic groups, which is rarely reported.
Main Methods:
- A comparative analysis was conducted through a nurse-midwifery service.
- Maternal risk factors, prenatal care utilization, labor and delivery interventions, and adverse birth outcomes were assessed.
- Data were compared across Hispanic, Caucasian, and Southeast Asian women.
Main Results:
- Southeast Asian women were older and had higher parity; Hispanic women had children at a younger age.
- Hispanic and Southeast Asian women attended fewer prenatal visits and used less analgesia/anesthesia during delivery compared to Caucasian women.
- Cesarean section (7.7%) and low birthweight (5.9%) rates were compared to reference statistics.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in prenatal care and delivery interventions exist among these ethnic groups.
- Further research, including prospective studies and cost-benefit analyses, is needed for definitive conclusions.
- Improved birth certificate data collection is crucial for future research.