Unraveling the Tapestry: Variations in Midwifery and Community Birth Utilization Among Asian Subgroups

Area of Science:

• Perinatal care utilization
• Health disparities
• Maternal health outcomes

Background:

• Community birth (CB) and midwife-attended birth (MAB) patterns among Asian/Pacific Islander (API) populations in the U.S. are examined.
• Significant racial-ethnic disparities in birth choices are highlighted.
• Cultural variations influencing these birth choices are discussed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe variations in CB and MAB probability for low-risk pregnancies across API communities.
• To explore factors contributing to these variations, including traditional birth practices and cultural beliefs.

Main Methods:

• Logistic regression analysis of 2010-2020 U.S. birth certificate data.
• Examination of CB and MAB probabilities across pan-ethnic groups and API subgroups.
• Inclusion of data on place of birth, birth attendant, maternal demographics, and race-ethnicity.

Main Results:

• CB and MAB rates are significantly lower among API groups compared to other pan-ethnic groups.
• Substantial heterogeneity in CB and MAB uptake exists among API subgroups.
• Lower rates observed in Asian Indian and Chinese populations; higher rates in Hawaiian, Japanese, and Guamanian populations.

Conclusions:

• Addressing racial-ethnic disparities in perinatal care is crucial.
• Culturally sensitive approaches are needed to promote CB and MAB.
• Traditional customs, beliefs, and immigration factors influence perinatal care choices among API communities.