Maternal Migration Research Articles

Effect of access to antenatal care on risk of preterm birth among migrant women in Italy: A population-based cohort study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between maternal migration status and preterm birth, and whether a better adherence to antenatal care during pregnancy mitigates the risk of preterm birth. DesignPopulation-based cohort. SettingAdministrative databases of the Lombardy region, Italy. PopulationFirst singleton births of women aged 15–55 years at 22–42 gestational weeks, between 2016 and 2021. MethodsAssessed the risk of preterm birth (<37 weeks). Main outcome measuresA multivariable logistic regression mediation model calculated the mediation effect of adherence to antenatal care in the association between maternal migrant status and preterm birth and the residual effect not mediated by it. Analyses were adjusted for the socio-demographic and pregnant characteristics of the women. ResultsOf 349,753 births in the cohort, Italian nationality accounted for 71 %; 28.4 % were documented migrants and 0.4 % undocumented migrants. Among them, 5.3 %, 6.4 %, and 9.3 % had a preterm birth, respectively. Using deliveries of Italian citizens as referent, migrants had a significantly increased risk of preterm birth (adjusted relative risk: 1.22, 95 % confidence interval: 1.18–1.27). Adherence to antenatal care mediated the 62 % of such risk. We have calculated that adherence to antenatal pathways set to the highest level for the whole population could lead to a 37 % reduction in preterm birth risk. ConclusionPart of the excess of preterm birth among documented and undocumented migrants in Italy can be explained by a lack of adherence to the antenatal care path despite equal access to National Health care. The adherence of all pregnant women to antenatal care would reduce the risk of preterm birth by about one-third.

The prevalence of preterm and low birth weight infants among migrant women in the Pearl River Delta region, China: a population-based birth cohort study

BackgroundThe existing literature evaluating the association between neonatal morbidity and migrant status presents contradictory results. The purpose of this study was to compare the risk of preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) among newborns from local and migrant women in China’s Pearl River Delta (PRD) region.MethodsIn this observational population-based study, we included all live singleton deliveries from PRD region local women and migrant women. Data were sourced from the Guangdong Medical Birth Registry Information System between Jan 1, 2014, and Dec 31, 2020. Women were categorized into three groups by maternal migrant status: local women from PRD region, migrant women from Guangdong province or from other provinces. The outcome variables that were examined included two adverse birth outcomes: PTB and LBW. The association between the risk of PTB and LBW and maternal migrant status was assessed using logistic regression.ResultsDuring 2014–2020, 5,219,133 single live deliveries were recorded, corresponding 13.22% to local women and the rest to migrant women coming from Guangdong (53.51%) and other provinces (33.26%). PTB prevalence was highest among local women (5.79%), followed by migrant women from Guangdong (5.29%), and the lowest among migrants from other provinces (4.95%). This association did not change after including maternal age, infant sex, delivery mode, and birth season in the models. Compared to local women, migrant women from other provinces had a lower risk of LBW (4.00% vs. 4.98%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of PTB and LBW was higher among local women than migrants. The odds of delivery PTB and LBW were higher for women who were age ≥ 35. Among the three maternal migration groups, the age-LBW association displayed a typical U-shaped pattern, with those in the youngest (16–24 years) and oldest (≥ 35) age categories exhibiting the higher odds of delivering a LBW neonate. With respect to infant sex, the prevalence of PTB was significantly higher in males than females among the three maternal migration groups. An opposite trend was found for LBW, and the prevalence of LBW was higher in females among the three maternal migration groups.ConclusionThe findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of PTB and LBW among migrant women. Our study suggests that it is the health and robust nature of migrant mothers that predisposes them to better birth outcomes. It is important to recognize that the results of this study, while supportive of the healthy migrant effect, cannot be considered definitive without some exploration of motivation for moving and changes in lifestyle postmigration.

Intersectional inequalities in paediatric infectious diseases: a national cohort study in Sweden

BackgroundIt is well known that socially deprived children are more likely to be hospitalised for infections. Less is known about how different social disadvantages interact. Therefore, we examine intersectional inequalities...

Maternal Migration, Prenatal Stress and Child Autistic Traits: Insights From a Population-Based Cohort Study

There is emerging evidence for an increased prevalence of autism in children of mothers with a migration background. To date, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are poorly understood. We investigated whether prenatal stress exposure mediates the association between maternal migration and child autistic traits, assessing first- and second-generation migrant mothers in the Netherlands and their children. The study was embedded in the prospective population-based Generation R cohort. Of the 4,727 participants, 1,773 mothers (38%) had a migration background. Prenatal stress was assessed using questionnaires related to stressful life events, family functioning, self-esteem, long-lasting difficulties, symptoms of psychopathology, social support, and perceived discrimination. Autistic traits were measured at age 6 years with the parent-reported Social Responsiveness Scale exclusively. Longitudinal multiple mediation analyses were performed. Analyses were stratified by migration origin (Europe and outside Europe) because of differences in migration characteristics. Maternal migration background was associated with more experienced stress and with higher child autistic trait scores (Europe: mean= 0.42, SD= 0.25; outside Europe: mean= 0.50, SD= 0.24) compared to no migration background (Netherlands: mean= 0.38, SD= 0.23; both p< .01). Prenatal stress, especially perceived discrimination and maternal psychopathology, accounted for up to half of the total effect of maternal migration, which remained after adjusting for sociodemographic factors (Bindirect= 0.035, 95% CI= 0.027, 0.043, Btotal= 0.074). Stress during pregnancy mediated the association between maternal migration status and child autistic traits. Future research should focus on early interventions to assess whether reducing prenatal stress exposure among women with a migration background can result in lower offspring autistic traits. We worked to ensure that the study questionnaires were prepared in an inclusive way. We worked to ensure sex and gender balance in the recruitment of human participants. We worked to ensure race, ethnic, and/or other types of diversity in the recruitment of human participants. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted who participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work.

Maternal/paternal migration, delinquent friendship, and depressive symptoms among left-behind children in China

Massive internal migration in China has greatly disadvantaged children who are left behind. This study unravels the mechanism underlying the association between parental migration and children’s mental health through the lenses of social networks and gender. Using data collected in Sichuan, one of the provinces with the largest number of left-behind children in China, this study finds that maternal and paternal migration differ in their associations with left-behind children’s depressive symptoms. While paternal migration is not associated with children’s mental health, maternal migration is found to be significantly correlated with children’s depressive symptoms. Moreover, the negative association is also detected in children with mothers who returned from migration destinations. However, such an association does not vary between sons and daughters. We also find that the negative association between maternal migration and left-behind children’s mental health is partly explained by children’s delinquent social ties. Children who have experienced or are experiencing maternal migration are more likely to make friends who exhibit delinquent behavior. Such friendships are further associated with left-behind children’s vulnerability to depressive symptoms. This demonstration of the intersectionality of social networks and gender contributes to the literature on family, migration, and health.

Maternal Migration Background and Mortality Among Infants Born Extremely Preterm

Extremely preterm infants require care provided in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to survive. In the Netherlands, a decision is made regarding active treatment between 24 weeks 0 days and 25 weeks 6 days after consultation with the parents. To investigate the association between maternal migration background and admissions to NICUs and mortality within the first year among extremely preterm infants. This cross-sectional study linked data of registered births in the Netherlands with household-level income tax records and municipality and mortality registers. Eligible participants were households with live births at 24 weeks 0 days to 25 weeks 6 days gestation between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2017. Data linkage and analysis was performed from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2023. Maternal migration background, defined as no migration background vs first- or second-generation migrant mother. Admissions to NICUs and mortality within the first week, month, and year of life. Logistic regressions were estimated adjusted for year of birth, maternal age, parity, household income, sex, gestational age, multiple births, and small for gestational age. NICU-specific fixed effects were also included. Among 1405 live births (768 male [54.7%], 546 [38.9%] with maternal migration background), 1243 (88.5%) were admitted to the NICU; 490 of 546 infants (89.7%) born to mothers with a migration background vs 753 of 859 infants (87.7%) born to mothers with no migration background were admitted to NICU (fully adjusted RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08). A total of 652 live-born infants (46.4%) died within the first year of life. In the fully adjusted model, infants born to mothers with a migration background had lower risk of mortality within the first week (RR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.66-0.99), month (RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.97), and year of life (RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75-0.96) compared with infants born to mothers with no migration background. In this nationally representative cross-sectional study, infants born to mothers with a migration background at 24 weeks 0 days to 25 weeks 6 days of gestation in the Netherlands had lower risk of mortality within the first year of life than those born to mothers with no migration background, a result that was unlikely to be explained by mothers from different migration backgrounds attending different NICUs or differential preferences for active obstetric management across migration backgrounds. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms driving these disparities, including parental preferences for active care of extremely preterm infants.

Childhood Overweight/Obesity amidst Migration, Socioeconomic Factors, and Obesogenic Behaviors: Insights from the Growing Up in New Zealand Study

Research on migration as a risk factor for obesity has produced inconsistent findings. Potential influence of migration as a social determinant of obesity has not been previously explored in New Zealand (NZ) as a migrant receiving country. This study aimed to investigate the link between maternal migration status and residential duration and childhood overweight/obesity risk in NZ, considering sociodemographic characteristics and obesogenic behaviors. Data on 5,506 4- to 5-year-old children and their mothers were taken from a large and nationally representative cohort study in NZ (the Growing Up in NZ Study). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between maternal migration status, maternal residential duration, and child’s overweight/obesity risk and the risk of adopting obesogenic behaviors independent of socioeconomic influences. A lower proportion of children of foreign-born mothers presented with overweight/obesity (26%) at age 5 years compared with children of NZ-born mothers (29.6%) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.74, 0.98)). Maternal residential duration had no association with children’s weight status among migrant families. Regarding obesogenic behaviors, the findings were mixed with children of foreign-born mothers having lower odds of consuming fast food (AOR 0.77, 95% CI (0.65, 0.91)) and soft drinks (AOR 0.87, 95% CI (0.76, 0.99)); however, they had higher odds of having inadequate sleep duration (AOR 2.25, 95% CI (1.85, 2.73)). The lower prevalence of overweight/obesity and lower odds of consuming fast foods and soft drinks among children of foreign-born mothers indicate potential protective factors within migrant families. However, the increased likelihood of inadequate sleep duration highlights an area of concern that warrants further attention and intervention. The findings emphasize the importance of considering diverse social determinants of health and specific risk factors when developing targeted interventions to address childhood overweight/obesity.

Ancient mitochondrial genome depicts sheep maternal dispersal and migration in Eastern Asia

Sheep have been one of the most important groups of animals since ancient times. However, the knowledge of their migration routes and genetic relationships is still poorly understood. To investigate sheep maternal migration histories alongside Eurasian communications routes, in this study, we obtain mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) from 17 sheep remains in 6 Chinese sites and 1 Uzbekistan site dated 4429–3100 years before present (BP). By obtaining the mitogenomes from the sheep (4429–3556 BP) found in the Tongtian Cave site in Xinjiang, Altai region of northwest China, our results support the emergence of haplogroup C sheep in Xinjiang as early as 4429–3556 BP. The combined phylogenetic analyses with extant ancient and modern sheep mitogenomes suggest that the Uzbekistan-Altai region may have been a migration hub for early sheep in eastern Asia. At least two migration events have taken place for sheep crossing Eurasia to China, one passing by Uzbekistan and Northwest China to the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River at approximately 4000 BP and another following the Altai region to middle Inner Mongolia from 4429 BP to 2500 BP. Overall, this study provides further evidence for early sheep utilization and migration patterns in Eastern Asia.

Constructing children's psychological well‐being: Sources of resilience for children left behind in Northeast China

AbstractPopulation mobility has become an inevitable trend of social transformation in contemporary China. Parental migration has changed family structure patterns and brought great uncertainty to the psychological well‐being of left‐behind children. By comparing left‐behind children to children of non‐migrants, this study examines the impact of parental migration on children's psychological well‐being and the potential support of schools for children's resilience development along three dimensions: children's school belonging, teacher–student relationships and peer support. Using a mixed‐method approach, this study draws on an original survey of children (N = 605) and in‐depth interviews with children, parents, grandparents, and teachers (N = 41) in Hunchun City, Northeast China. Overall, maternal migration has a negative impact on children's psychological well‐being. In addition to teacher–student relationships, school belonging and peer support significantly mitigate this negative impact; qualitative data further suggest that peer support distracts from, rather than offsets, children's poor psychological well‐being associated with maternal migration.

The impacts of maternal migration on the cognitive development of preschool-aged children left behind in rural China

Preschool-aged children account for over 38 per cent of those left behind. Previous research suggests that maternal migration during early childhood may create a greater negative impact, however, the literature on the effect of maternal migration on cognitive development of preschool aged children is rare. This study uses a unique panel dataset following children from infancy to 63 months and their caregivers to estimate the causal effects of maternal migration on the critical cognitive development of children left behind. We find that maternal migration increases the probability of cognitive delay by six percentage points. Possible mechanisms include a generational shift in parenting and feeding practices leading to reduced engagement in stimulating activities and dietary diversity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the causal effects of maternal migration on cognition during the first six years of life in rural China.

Migration modulates the prevalence of ASD and ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMigration has been implicated as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but evidence is still limited and inconsistent. We aim to investigate the relationship between migration status and risk of ASD and ADHD.MethodsElectronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsychINFO were searched to identify observational studies on this topic, from inception to February 2021. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used to pool the summary odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and subgroup analyses were conducted to detect possible discrepancies in associations. Certainty of evidence was assessed as per the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) guidelines.ResultsA total of 13 studies (6,532,546 participants) for ASD, five studies (2,875,070 participants) for ADHD, and six studies (31,158 participants) for hyperactivity were included. Overall, the pooled results indicated that migration was associated with increased risk of ASD (pooled OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.07–1.63; P for Z test = 0.010), but no association was found between migration and ADHD (pooled OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.53–1.32; P for Z test = 0.452) or hyperactivity (pooled standardized mean difference: -0.073; 95% CIs: − 0.383–0.236; P for Z test = 0.642). Subgroup analyses further demonstrated that maternal migration was ASD risk factor (pooled OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.19–1.87), and migrant children were more likely to develop ASD with comorbid intellectual disability (ID) (pooled OR: 1.21, P for interaction = 0.006) than ASD without ID. After standardized the origin of migrants, European migrant children from Americas were at higher risk of ASD and ADHD (pooled OR were 4.13 and 1.26), and increased ASD risk was also observed in African children (pooled OR: 2.72). The GRADE of evidence was very low.ConclusionsMaternal migration is a risk factor for ASD, and migrant ASD children are more likely comorbid ID. The role of migration on ADHD remains controversial, more studies are needed to assess the association between migration status and ADHD. Health care practitioners should consider screening and providing extra resources for migrant children.

Psychosocial health disparities in early childhood: Socioeconomic status and parent migration background

The association between low socioeconomic status (SES), migration background and psychosocial health could be various in different age stages, rare research has investigated associations in very early childhood. Cross-sectional data of SES, parental migration background, and child’s psychosocial problems among 2149 children were collected (Mage = 24.6 ± 1.8 months, 49.9% girls) from a community population. Indicators of SES included parental education level, maternal work status, and family composition. Child’s psychosocial problems, including social-emotional problems and delay in social-emotional competence, were assessed by the Brief Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment Problem scale and Competence scale, respectively. Interaction effects between SES and maternal migration background in risk of psychosocial problems were found. Among children of a native-born mother, lower maternal and paternal education levels indicated a higher risk of social-emotional problems and competence delay, respectively. Children of a migrant mother had a higher risk of both social-emotional problems and competence delay if they had a migrant father. The results highlight psychosocial health disparities in 2-year-old children and the need for research into mechanisms underlying these associations.

Fostering Emotional Availability in Mother-Child-Dyads With an Immigrant Background: A Randomized-Controlled-Trial on the Effects of the Early Prevention Program First Steps.

BackgroundIn many Western countries like Germany, the social integration of children with an immigrant background has become an urgent social tasks. The probability of them living in high-risk environments and being disadvantaged regarding health and education-related variables is still relatively higher. Yet, promoting language acquisition is not the only relevant factor for their social integration, but also the support of earlier developmental processes associated with adequate early parenting in their first months of life. The Emotional Availability Scales (EAS) measure the quality of caregiver-child-interactions as an indicator of the quality of their relationship and thus of such early parenting, focusing on mutual and emotional aspects of their interaction.MethodThis pilot study examined in a randomized controlled trial the effects of the prevention project First Steps regarding the hypothesis that the Emotional Availability (EA) improved to a greater extent in “difficult-to-reach” immigrant mother-child dyads in a psychoanalytically oriented early intervention (A, FIRST STEPS) compared to a usual care intervention (B) offered by paraprofessionals with an immigrant background. A sample of N = 118 immigrant women in Germany from 37 different countries and their children was compared with regard to the parental EA-dimensions sensitivity, structuring, non-intrusiveness and non-hostility and the child dimensions responsiveness to and involvement of the caregiver in the pre-post RCT design.Results and ConclusionDifferent from what was expected, repeated ANOVAs revealed no significant pre-post group differences for the parental dimensions. For the child dimensions the effect of time of measurement was highly significant, which can be interpreted as mostly natural developmental effects. Still, on the level of simple main effects for each intervention, only in the FIRST STEPS groups child responsiveness significantly improved. When controlled for confounding variables, a significant interaction effect for maternal sensitivity in favor of the FIRST STEPS intervention was found. The systematic group differences indicate that the more extensive and professional intervention, focusing on the individual needs of the participants, is more suitable to support the quality of the mother-child-relationship amongst immigrant mother-child dyads than usual care. The results are discussed taking into account the context of the maternal migration process and potential maternal traumatization.Clinical Trial Registration[https://clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [DRKS00004632].

Maternal internal migration and child growth and nutritional health in Peru: an analysis of the demographic and health surveys from 1991 to 2017

BackgroundPeru has historically experienced high rural-to-urban migration. Despite large reductions in undernutrition, overweight is increasing. Elsewhere, internal migration has been associated with differences in children’s growth and nutritional health. We investigated how child growth and nutritional status in Peru varied over time and in association with maternal internal migration.MethodsUsing data from Demographic & Health Surveys from 1991 to 2017, we assessed trends in child growth (height-for-age [HAZ], weight-for-age [WAZ], weight-for-height [WHZ] z scores) and nutritional health (stunting, underweight, overweight) by maternal adult internal migration (urban [UNM] or rural non-migrant [RNM], or urban-urban [UUM], rural-urban [RUM], rural-rural [RRM], or urban-rural migrant [URM]). Using 2017 data, we ran regression analyses, adjusting for confounders, to investigate associations of maternal migration with child outcomes and the maternal and child double burden of malnutrition. We further stratified by timing of migration, child timing of birth and, for urban residents, type of area of residence. Results are given as adjusted predictive margins (mean z score or %) and associated regression p-values [p].ResultsIn 1991–2017, child growth improved, and undernutrition decreased, but large differences by maternal migration persisted. In 2017, within urban areas, being the child of a migrant woman was associated with lower WHZ (UUM = 0.6/RUM = 0.5 vs UNM = 0.7; p = 0.009 and p < 0.001 respectively) and overweight prevalence ((RUM 7% vs UNM = 11% [p = 0.002]). Results however varied both by child timing of birth (birth after migration meant greater overweight prevalence) and type of area of residence (better linear growth in children of migrants [vs non-migrants] in capital/large cities and towns but not small cities). In rural areas, compared to RNM, children of URM had higher HAZ (− 1.0 vs − 1.2; p < 0.001) and WAZ (− 0.3 vs − 0.4; p = 0.001) and lower stunting (14% vs 21%; [p < 0.001]). There were no differences by timing of birth in rural children, nor by time since migration across all children. The mother and child double burden of malnutrition was higher in rural than urban areas but no differences were found by maternal internal migration.ConclusionsMigration creates a unique profile of child nutritional health that is not explained by maternal ethnic and early life factors, but which varies depending on the pathway of migration, the child timing of birth in relation to migration and, for urban dwellers, the size of the place of destination. Interventions to improve child nutritional health should take into consideration maternal health and migration history.

Childhood vaccination timeliness following maternal migration to an informal urban settlement in Kenya

IntroductionTimely receipt of recommended vaccines is a proven strategy to reduce preventable under-five deaths. Kenya has experienced impressive declines in child mortality from 111 to 43 deaths per 1000 live births between 1980 and 2019. However, considerable inequities in timely vaccination remain, which unnecessarily increases risk for serious illness and death. Maternal migration is a potentially important driver of timeliness inequities, as the social and financial stressors of moving to a new community may require a woman to delay her child’s immunizations. This analysis examined how maternal migration to informal urban settlements in Nairobi, Kenya influenced childhood vaccination timeliness. MethodsData came from the Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System, 2002–2018. Migration exposures were migrant status (migrant, non-migrant), migrant origin (rural, urban), and migrant type (first-time, circular [previously resided in settlement]). Age at vaccine receipt (vaccination timeliness) was calculated for all basic vaccinations. Accelerated failure time models were used to investigate relationships between migration exposures and vaccination timeliness. Confounding was addressed using propensity score weighting. ResultsOver one-third of the children of both migrants and non-migrants received at least one dose late or not at all. Unweighted models showed the children of migrants had shorter time to OPV1 and DPT1 vaccine receipt compared to the children of non-migrants. After accounting for confounding only differences in timeliness for DPT1 remained, with the children of migrants receiving DPT1 significantly earlier than the children of non-migrants. Timeliness was comparable among migrants with rural and urban origins and among first-time and circular migrants. ConclusionAlthough a substantial proportion of children in Nairobi’s informal urban settlements do not receive timely vaccination, this analysis found limited evidence that maternal migration and migration characteristics were associated with delays for most doses. Future research should seek to elucidate potential drivers of low vaccination timeliness in Kenya.

Parental migration and care for left‐behind children in Myanmar's Dry Zone

AbstractMyanmar's population has been on the move at an unprecedented level since 2011. Given the country's lack of data infrastructure, little is known about how parental migration affects children in Myanmar's migration‐source areas. Based on the 2017 Dry Zone Migration Impact Survey, this study examines the extent to which parental migration is associated with the frequency of care provision for left‐behind children and the likelihood that their care needs are adequately met. Results suggest that the negative impacts of parental migration were limited to a small proportion of children whose mothers migrated (regardless of their father's migration). These children received significantly less frequent care and experienced a lower likelihood of having adequate support for daily necessities. Yet, the statistically significant negative associations between maternal migration and children's met needs for emotional and financial support were not found. On the contrary, children with migrant fathers and non‐migrant mothers enjoyed significantly more frequent care than other children. Looking ahead, Myanmar's rising trends in migration, population aging, and female labor force participation can pose new challenges in care provision for left‐behind children. Thus, continual monitoring of migration impacts and changing societal contexts is critical for formulating policies to manage risks associated with migration in developing countries.

Infant feeding in diverse families; the impact of ethnicity and migration on feeding practices

ObjectiveTo investigate differences in infant feeding practices and styles by maternal migration status. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingMaternity unit of a large hospital in Northern England ParticipantsWomen recruited to the Born in Bradford longitudinal cohort study MeasurementsBreastfeeding initiation; breastfeeding at six months; breastfeeding at twelve months; timing of introduction of complementary feeding; maternal feeding style at twelve months. FindingsMigrant women were more likely to initiate breastfeeding and continue breastfeeding for longer compared to native women. Native women also introduced complementary feeding earlier than migrant women. There was evidence of feeding practices among second= generation migrants becoming increasingly more aligned with those of native women, with lower breastfeeding rates and earlier introduction of complementary feeding compared to first-generation migrants. Migrant women were more likely to adopt a ‘Demanding’ feeding style, with the strongest associations seen in first-generation migrants. Key conclusionsMigration status is an important factor to consider in reference to infant feeding practices. This is particularly important in considering intergenerational changes in families with migration backgrounds and the potential of culture to impact on family practices. Implications for practiceInterventions to maintain cultural norms around infant feeding in families with migration backgrounds would be beneficial, due to the observed higher rates of breastfeeding in first-generation migrants. Targeted interventions to improve breastfeeding in white British native women should consider the role that culture can play in encouraging positive health behaviours.

DOES MATERNAL MIGRATION AFFECT SPOUSAL LABOR MARKET DECISIONS? EVIDENCE FROM SRI LANKA

This paper examines Sri Lankan men’s labor market outcomes when their wives emigrate to work, leaving the husbands and their children at home in Sri Lanka — the effects of maternal migration on the husbands’ labor market decisions. We used nationally representative cross-sectional data and historical migration rates at the community level as an instrument for maternal migration in two-stage least squares estimations. We find that maternal migration reduces the husbands’ labor supply. Husbands are more likely to exit the labor market and become unemployed; the employed are less likely to moonlight and have lower wages, and those that exit the labor market are more likely to become stay-at-home dads. Using a second instrument, an indicator of whether a community has foreign-employment agencies, we also confirmed our main results. Our findings indicate that policies that aim to promote female migration as an exogenous income source may fall short if they do not address the effects of the husbands’ labor market decisions.

Migration and risk of intellectual disability with and without autism: A population-based cohort study.

To investigate whether parental migration, parental region of origin, timing of child's birth in relation to maternal migration and parental reason for migration are associated with intellectual disability (ID) with and without autism. We used a register-based cohort of all individuals aged 0-17years in Stockholm County during 2001-2011. General estimating equation logistic model and additionally sibling comparison were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The models were adjusted for child's sex and birth year and parental age at child's birth, and additionally for migrant-specific variables in the analyses including only children with migrant parent(s). Within the eligible sample of 670,098 individuals, 3781 (0.6%) had ID with autism, and 5076 (0.8%) had ID without autism. Compared with children with Swedish-born parents, children with both parents born abroad had an increased risk of ID with autism (OR=1.6, CI 1.5-1.8) and ID without autism (OR=1.9, CI 1.7-2.0). Among these children with both parents born abroad, it was protective of ID with autism when the child's birth occurred before and later than four years after maternal migration, which was replicated in the sibling comparison. The associations with both conditions were more pronounced with parental origin in regions comprising low- and middle-income countries and with reasons other than work or study. Parental migration is associated with ID regardless of co-occurrence of autism. Our results indicate an association between environmental factors during pregnancy related to migration and offspring ID with autism, although further confirmative studies are needed.

Maternal absence and transnational female labour migration; implications for the left-behind child

Purpose As migration of family members becomes an omnipresent phenomenon, the conventional norm of having a family and living under the same roof together is far from normal for many households. It produces transnational practices and multisite lifestyle configurations. This study aims to explore the implication of maternal absence as a result of transnational labour migration on the left-behind child in the context of transnational labour migration from Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach It focusses on the perspective of those who stayed behind. The ethnographic fieldwork was carried out in two rural villages – Bulebullo and Bokekesa – of Worebabbo district in Northern Ethiopia. It involved in-depth interviews with children and their caregivers supported by interviews and group discussions with members of the community, local officials and traditional leaders. Findings Transnational mothering and other mothering emerge as new practices of mothering in the rural villages due to maternal absence have interrelated implications and meanings for the left-behind child. However, the rigidity of sending societies’ norms related to mothering and gendered labour dynamics exacerbated the negative implications of maternal absence on left-behind children. The absence of the fathers’ effort to redefine mothering or fathering by providing childcare is part of the equation in the relationship between maternal absence and left-behind children. Originality/value The findings of this study refute the notion that labels mother’s out-migration as “abandoning children”, “disrupting families” and “acts of selfishness”.