Citation

Golding J, Greenwood R, McCaw-Binns A, Thomas P. Paediatr. Perinat. Epidemiol. 1994; 8(Suppl 1): 17-39.

Affiliation

Institute of Child Health, Bristol UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8072899

Abstract

The Jamaican Perinatal Mortality Survey provided the data for this logistic regression analysis of factors related to perinatal mortality. The sample included 94% of all mothers delivering in September and October 1986 and clinical records of still births and infant mortality with 7 days of birth during September 1986 and August 1987. Causes were identified according to the Wigglesworth classification as antepartum fetal deaths (APFD), congenital malformations and immaturity (IMMAT), intrapartum asphyxia (IPA), and miscellaneous. The results showed the lowest risk among married mothers and the highest among women with a visiting partner, but the relationship was not strong. Expenditures on food per person was unrelated. Unemployed women had a higher risk for all causes except immaturity. There were reduced risks for all deaths and IPA among households with heads engaged in professional and nonmanual skilled occupations. There was a strong relationship with the number of children under 11 years old in the household. The risk was very high in households with no children and risk declined with number of children under 11 years old. Housing size or type of ownership were unrelated. The more crowded the sleeping conditions, the lower the risk of perinatal death for IPA and all perinatal deaths. Risk was increased with lack of access to a private water supply in the household and use of shared toilet facilities. Increased risk was also related to lack of access to urban facilities. Risk was lowest in the eastern area of the island and highest in the far western areas. Lowest risks for all deaths were in the urban areas of Kingston, St. Andrew, and St. James. A U-shaped pattern appeared for age, with high risk among those under 17 years and over 35 years old for all deaths and IPAs. APFDs and IMMAT were more likely among mothers under 17 years old. Women taller than 5 feet 6 inches had the lowest mortality. APFDs and total perinatal mortality were significantly related to increased weight. Risk was increased among mothers either malnourished or obese. The final logistic model showed increased risk among mothers who were unmarried or cohabiting, with no young children regardless of parity, with shared toilet facilities, with lower nutrition, and increased age.

Language: en