Association of Maternal Work with Adverse Perinatal Outcome

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Epidemiology Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

2 Occupational Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

3 Medical Biostatistics Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt

Abstract

Little information exists about the effect of work during pregnancy and adverse perinatal outcome in our country, Egypt, as a developing one. In order to investigate such relationship, 2419 women were interviewed shortly after delivery in the three main public and Health Insurance hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt during a period of 4 months. There were 730 [30.2%] working and 1689 [69.8%] non-working parturients. Detailed description of working status was analysed, along with risk profile which was compared between both groups. There was no significant association between different work characteristics and perinatal outcomes. There was an excess rate of small-for-gestational-age [SGA] and perinatal death among the non-working group, while preterm delivery was significantly increased among those who worked throughout the whole pregnancy. After adjusting for confounders, the risk of preterm delivery was no more significant [OR = 1.2 & 95% CI = 0.96 – 1.7]. On the other hand, working status had a beneficial effect on SGA and perinatal death [OR = 0.41, 0.26 & 95% CI = 0.26-0.64 and 0.14-0.48, respectively]. These results cast doubt on the hazardous element of work and adverse pregnancy outcome and work per se doesn’t constitute a health risk factor but may even have a positive social impact on pregnancy.

Keywords

Journal of High Institute of Public Health
Volume 35, Issue 2
April 2005
Pages 323-334

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