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A comparative study of army and civilian babies in a UK garrison town
1Karolinska Institute, Department of Paediatrics, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.
Insights
UK army families experience higher infant mortality. This study found lower birth weights, increased parental smoking, and reduced social support in army families, contributing to infant health disparities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Military Health
Background:
- UK army families exhibit higher infant mortality rates than the civilian population.
- The underlying risk factors contributing to this disparity remain largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comparative health study of army and civilian infants and their families in a UK garrison town.
- To identify potential risk factor differences that may explain the observed infant mortality variations.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 250 first-born army and civilian infants and their families.
- Data collection focused on infant health, parental lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking), and social support networks.
Main Results:
- Army infants demonstrated a lower birth weight distribution compared to civilian infants.
- Higher rates of maternal and paternal smoking were reported in army families.
- Army mothers reported less access to social support, particularly from close family members.
Conclusions:
- Identified key risk factors including lower birth weight, elevated parental smoking, and reduced social support in UK army families.
- The findings underscore specific health needs within the army family population.
- The study has prompted collaborative efforts among local health services to address these identified issues.
Abstract:
Army families in the UK have been observed to have a higher infant mortality compared with the civilian population. Little is known about the reasons for the higher mortality. We report a comparative study of the health of army and civilian babies and their families in a UK garrison town, the aim being to investigate any differences in risk factors which may have explained the differences in mortality. A total of 250 first born army and civilian babies fulfilling the selection criteria were recruited to the study. Army babies had a lower birth weight distribution and both maternal and paternal smoking rates were higher in army families. In addition, social support and in particular, contact with close family members appeared to be available to fewer army mothers. The study highlighted the needs of this population and prompted a number of local health services to work together to address the issues it raised.