In 1989, information on method of delivery first became available from the birth certificate. In that year the cesarean rate for non-Hispanic white women was 23.6 per 100 births, 6 percent higher than the rate for non-Hispanic black women (22.2). Between 1989 and 1996, the cesarean rate for non-Hispanic white women declined by 12 percent whereas the rate for non-Hispanic black women declined by only 2 percent. Between 1996 and 1998 cesarean rates increased for both groups, but the percent increase was slightly greater for non-Hispanic black women. As a result of the trends, the cesarean rate in 1998 for non-Hispanic black women (22.4) was 6 percent higher than the comparable rate for non-Hispanic white women (21.2), a reversal of the pattern found in 1989. Using birth certificate information from the National Center for Health Statistic's National Vital Statistics System, differences by race in cesarean rates are examined for such variables as maternal age, maternal education, birth order of the infant, and receipt of prenatal care. Changes between 1989 and 1998 in the relationship between cesarean rates and these variables are examined separately for non-Hispanic white and black women. Preliminary results show that in 1998, cesarean rates were higher for non-Hispanic black women compared with non-Hispanic white women for all maternal age groups. Cesarean rates for non-Hispanic black women 30 years of age and over generally increased over the period whereas rates for non-Hispanic white women declined for all age groups.
Learning Objectives: 1) Describe the recent trends in cesarean rates for non-Hispanic white and black women. 2) Understand the relationship between various maternal characteristics (e.g. maternal age and education) and cesarean rates and how the relationships differ between non-Hispanic white and black women
Keywords: Maternal Care, Health Care Delivery
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.