Citation

Coonrod DV, Bay RC, Balcazar H. J. Reprod. Med. 2004; 49(1): 17-22.

Affiliation

Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health and Academic Affairs, Maricopa Integrated Health System, MedPro, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. dean_coonrod@medprodoctors.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Science Printers and Publishers, Inc)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14976790

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare risk factors and birth outcomes among low- and high-acculturated Hispanics and white non-Hispanics. STUDY DESIGN: Information on 1,172 women who delivered was collected in a cross-sectional study at a public hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. We compared 3 groups: low-(reference group) and high-acculturated Hispanics and white non-Hispanics. Acculturation was defined within Hispanics by predominant orientation: Latin America (low) or United States (high). RESULTS: Prevalence of substance abuse and interpersonal violence was highest in the white non-Hispanics when compared to low-acculturated Hispanics, and intermediate in the high-acculturation group. Births to women < 17 years old were highest in the high-acculturation group. Preterm labor and pregnancy-induced hypertension were more common in white non-Hispanics. Sexually transmitted disease was more likely in the high-acculturated Hispanic group. Diabetes was more common in both comparison groups, high-acculturated and white non-Hispanic. CONCLUSION: High-acculturated Hispanics, like high-risk white non-Hispanics, had more risk factors and adverse obstetric outcomes than the low-acculturated group. The acculturation process may lead to difficulty for Hispanics in the United States.

Language: en