Gestational risk and social inequalities: a possible relationship?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Social inequalities are increasingly recognized as determinants of health outcomes.
• Understanding the link between socioeconomic factors and gestational risk is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the association between social inequalities and gestational risk in two administrative regions of Espírito Santo, Brazil.
• To identify specific socioeconomic factors contributing to high gestational risk.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 1,777 women delivering in public facilities in Greater Vitória Metropolitan Region (RMGV-ES) and São Mateus Microregion (MRSM) (2010-2013).
• Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to assess associations between social and gestational risk variables.
• Variables with p < 0.20 in Chi-square tests were included in the final model, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Main Results:

• High gestational risk was associated with residing in RMGV-ES (OR=1.74), being a female head of household (OR=3.03), having less than five years of schooling (OR=1.58), and receiving the 'Bolsa Família' social benefit (OR=1.46).
• Specific social factors were identified as significant contributors to increased gestational risk.

Conclusions:

• Social variables are integral to classifying gestational risk.
• Certain social factors, such as female headship and limited education, actively generate gestational risk, necessitating focused public health strategies.