Disparities in risk of preterm birth and low birth weight for immigrant women in South Korea

Republic of Korea (ROK) experienced increases in births from immigrant women steadily over the last 20 years, accounting for a substantial proportion of total births (4.3 %). Nevertheless, little is known about health disparities in birth outcomes of immigrant women in ROK.

This study compared birth data of immigrant and native women in ROK and explored factors affecting birth outcomes of immigrant women. 

We examined 72,080 singletons from immigrant women and 1,695,686 singletons from natives based on the National Birth Registration Database between 2010 and 2013. The outcomes included preterm births (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). We calculated adjusted proportions for the occurrence of PTB and LBW and performed stratified analysis by maternal age, parity, and birth region. We also assessed the associated factors with those birth outcomes in multivariate analyses adjusted for maternal and paternal factors.

The adjusted proportions of PTB (4.79% vs. 4.47%, p<0.001) and LBW (4.10% vs. 3.57%, p<0.001) were significantly higher for immigrants than natives. The results of stratified analysis show that primiparous immigrant women residing in non-capital area and those between the ages of 20-34 had statistically significantly higher proportions of PTB or LBW relative to native women. Multivariate analysis revealed that parental ages and residential place were related to PTB and LBW.

We found worse birth outcomes in immigrant women than those of native women. Integrated policies are needed to address such health disparities of immigrant women in Korea.