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Updated: Sep 10, 2025
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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
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Inequalities in Preterm Birth in England: A Retrospective National Cohort Study Focusing on Deprivation and
Iona Hindes1, Buthaina Ibrahim2, Jennifer Jardine1
1Queen Mary University of London, London, Greater London, UK.
BJOG : an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|August 22, 2025
Summary
Socioeconomic deprivation and ethnicity significantly impact preterm birth rates in England. High deprivation areas show similar preterm birth rates across ethnic groups, while lower deprivation areas reveal disparities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Socioeconomic and ethnic factors are known contributors to health inequalities.
- Preterm birth remains a significant challenge in maternal and child health globally.
- Understanding the intersection of deprivation and ethnicity is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the combined impact of socioeconomic deprivation and ethnicity on preterm birth rates in England.
- To investigate how deprivation modifies the relationship between ethnicity and preterm birth.
- To identify specific population groups at higher risk for preterm birth.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study utilizing electronic health records from English hospitals.
- Inclusion of over 1.5 million singleton livebirths between April 2018 and March 2021.
- Multivariate Poisson regression analysis to assess preterm birth rates and adjusted rate ratios across ethnic and deprivation groups.
Main Results:
- Preterm birth rates were higher in the most deprived areas (6.30%) compared to the least deprived (5.05%).
- South Asian (6.09%) and Black (5.89%) women exhibited higher preterm birth rates than White women (5.74%).
- A significant interaction between deprivation and ethnicity was observed, with disparities narrowing in high deprivation areas and widening in low deprivation areas.
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic deprivation and ethnicity are critical determinants of preterm birth inequalities in England.
- Targeted prevention strategies must address socioenvironmental and structural factors affecting minority ethnic groups in deprived areas.
- Interventions should focus on reducing disparities in preterm birth to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.
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