The obstetric performance of Chinese immigrants residing in the UK.

By:

Shah, D

Contributor(s):

Publication details: 2011ISSN:

01443615

Uniform titles:

Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology

Online resources:

Summary: Although the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths raised concerns that immigrant women have significantly poorerobstetric outcomes when compared to native women, there is little published data on the obstetric outcomes of Chineseimmigrants living in the UK. This retrospective, case-control study compared maternal demographics and obstetricoutcomes of Chinese with British Caucasian women matched for parity and age, who served as controls. Data from 125 index and 125 control cases were analysed. A total of 74% of the Chinese women had little or no understanding of English. The Chinese women were more likely to be non-smokers, have a lower BMI and be unemployed than their British counterparts (p<0.001). They booked later (21.01 vs 15.35 weeks, p<0.0001) and attended on average one less antenatal clinic than controls (p<0.001). Chinese women were also less likely to deliver by caesarean section (p<0.05), but more likely to have a perineal tear (p<0.005). Pre-defined risk, gestation at delivery, birth weight, duration of labour, estimated blood loss and mean 5 min Apgar scores were comparable in both groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, there are significant differences in access to healthcare and the method of delivery, but overall, the obstetric outcomes of both ethnic groups are highly similar. This may be due to the 'healthy immigrant effect' or the increased use of interpreters and linkworkers inobstetric healthcare.

Holdings
Item type	Home library	Collection	Class number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Book	Ferriman information and Library Service (North Middlesex) Shelves	Staff publications for NMDX		Available

NMUH Staff Publications

Although the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths raised concerns that immigrant women have significantly poorerobstetric&nbsp;outcomes when compared to native women, there is little published data on the&nbsp;obstetric&nbsp;outcomes of&nbsp;Chineseimmigrants&nbsp;living in the&nbsp;UK. This retrospective, case-control study compared maternal demographics and&nbsp;obstetricoutcomes of&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;with British Caucasian women matched for parity and age, who served as controls. Data from 125 index and 125 control cases were analysed. A total of 74% of the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;women had little or no understanding of English. The&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;women were more likely to be non-smokers, have a lower BMI and be unemployed than their British counterparts (p&lt;0.001). They booked later (21.01 vs 15.35 weeks, p&lt;0.0001) and attended on average one less antenatal clinic than controls (p&lt;0.001).&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;women were also less likely to deliver by caesarean section (p&lt;0.05), but more likely to have a perineal tear (p&lt;0.005). Pre-defined risk, gestation at delivery, birth weight, duration of labour, estimated blood loss and mean 5 min Apgar scores were comparable in both groups (p&gt;0.05). In conclusion, there are significant differences in access to healthcare and the method of delivery, but overall, the&nbsp;obstetric&nbsp;outcomes of both ethnic groups are highly similar. This may be due to the 'healthy immigrant effect' or the increased use of interpreters and linkworkers inobstetric&nbsp;healthcare.

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