The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60012

Priya Kohli, BA¹, Julia Walsh, MD, DTPH¹, Marc Schenker, MD, MPH², and Brenda Elvine-Kreis, MA³. (1) School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 306 Earl Warren Hall, UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, (312)909-9119, pkohli@uclink.berkeley.edu, (2) Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, UC Davis, One Shields Avenue TB168, Davis, CA 95616, (3) Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Univerisity of California-Davis, 3792 Old Davis Road, Davis, CA 95616

OBJECTIVES: By understanding the deterioration in birth outcomes that occurs among Hispanics after migration to the US, we hope to understand why the US has the highest rates of poor birth outcomes among all industrialized countries. The Study of Hispanic Acculturation, Reproduction and the Environment (SHARE) examined a variety of risk factors and behaviors among pregnant Latinas receiving prenatal care in Stockton, CA; how they change with acculturation, and their association with adverse birth outcomes. This presentation concentrates on reproductive tract infection and behaviors.

METHODS: Data on risk factors for preterm birth and low birth weight were collected through personal interviews and medical record review. Presence of bacterial vaginosis was assessed through specimen examination and urine gonorrhea and chlamydia tests were performed. All participants were followed through delivery to record birth outcome.

RESULTS: Data collection for 1121 women has been completed.The data analysis will explore differences among women with positive and negative tests for bacterial vaginosis with respect to low birth weight and preterm birth outcomes, acculturation status, birthplace, sexual practices, socioeconomic status, prenatal care and education level.

CONCLUSIONS: When the data analysis is completed, conclusions will be made.

Learning Objectives:

• After this session, a participant in the session will be able to:
• 1)Describe trends in low birth weight and preterm birth rates among Hispanic subpopulations in the United States.
• 2)Discuss the relationship of reproductive tract infections, especially bacterial vaginosis, to poor birth outcomes and discuss this relationship in the Latina population.
• 3)Articulate factors that are related to poor birth outcomes and bacterial vaginosis infection in the Hispanic population.

Related Web page: epm.ucdavis.edu/www/share/welcome.htmlx

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.