1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« We sought to determine the extent to which associations between adverse birth outcomes and SES [maternal socioeconomic status] can be identified using indvidual-level measures (maternal level of education) and community-level measures (neighbourhood income). » (p. 1415)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« In Quebec, the birth registration form includes a field for the mother’s years of education. Using data from birth registration certificates, we identified all births from 1991 to 2000. Using maternal postal codes that can be linked to census enumeration areas, we determined neighbourhood income levels that reflect SES. » (p. 1415)

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« Maternal socioeconomic status (SES) is an important determinant of inequity in maternal and fetal health. […] Lower levels of both maternal education and neighbourhood income were associated with elevated crude risks of preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth, stillbirth and neonatal and postneonatal death. The effects of maternal education were stronger than, and independent of, those of neighbourhood income. Compared with women in the highest neighbourhood income quintile, women in the lowest quintile were significantly more likely to have a preterm birth […], SGA birth […] or stillbirth […]; compared with mothers who had completed community college or at least some university, mothers who had not completed high school were significantly more likely to have a preterm birth […], SGA birth […] or stillbirth […]. Individual and, to a lesser extent, neighbourhood-level SES measures are independent indicators for sub-populations at risk of adverse birth outcomes. Women with lower education levels and those living in poorer neighbourhoods are more vulnerable to adverse birth outcomes and may benefit from heightened clinical vigilance and counselling. » (p. 1415)