Maternal Risk Factors in a Cohort Study of Mexican Americans Living Near the U.S.-Mexico Border [10R

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Preterm and early term births are higher in border versus non-border regions of Texas, though the prevalence of maternal risk factors contributing to negative birth outcomes in this region is not well understood. METHODS: Weighted descriptive analyses were conducted on self-reported medical history and information on first pregnancy collected from 384 women ages 19-49 at enrollment into the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort, a prospective study of Mexican Americans residing in South Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. RESULTS: Women in the sample were predominantly Hispanic (89.8%), married (69.5%), and born outside the U.S. (57.5%), with average age of 36.7 years. Nearly one-quarter (23.1%) smoked 100 cigarettes or more in their lifetime. A majority (83.3%) of participants were obese or overweight, and sizeable proportions reported having high blood pressure (22.4%) or high cholesterol (11.1%). During their first pregnancy, most participants (79.0%) reported attending at least 6 prenatal visits. Prevalence of high blood pressure, diabetes, and preeclampsia during pregnancy was 7.6%, 3.2%, and 7.1%, respectively. Approximately 27% had cesarean delivery for the first pregnancy. Self-reported outcomes of the first pregnancy included preterm delivery (11.3%), miscarriage (9.7%), abortion (3.9%), and infant death (3.0%). CONCLUSION: Findings from this study indicate a higher burden of overweight/obesity and hypertensive disorders, as well as cesarean and preterm delivery, among Mexican American women of reproductive age in the South Texas border region compared to state averages. Interventions aimed at mitigating maternal risk factors may help improve birth outcomes and the long term health of women in this population.