Hispanic Health Care International
Volume 9, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 22-31

A Study of Perinatal Outcomes of Hispanic Migrant Farmworkers Using the Optimality Index-US (Article)

Maher M.D.* , Lurie S.J. , Trafton S. , Dozier A.M.
  • a University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, United States
  • b University of Rochester Department of Family Medicine, Highland Hospital, Rochester, United States
  • c University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, United States
  • d University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, United States

Abstract

The Optimality Index-US (OI-US), an innovative instrument designed to evaluate perinatal care outcomes in the United States, has yet to be tested among migrant Hispanic farmworkers. This study pilots the instrument in a rural community with a large Hispanic migrant farmworker population and finds statistically significant differences in Perinatal Background Index (PBI) scores between Hispanic (n 5 122) and non-Hispanic (n 5 147) nulliparous women. Differences in total optimality scores (OI-US) are not significant between these two groups. An analysis of seven aspects with anticipated differences between nulliparas and multiparas reveals only two differences in the expected direction (perineal lacerations requiring repair [p 5 0.081]; episiotomy [p 5 .008]). This study replicates aspects of the original 2001 findings and demonstrates the instrument's usefulness among an ethnic minority. It also adds to the evidence of the epidemiological paradox observed in other Hispanic subgroups. © 2011 Springer Publishing Company.

Author Keywords

Hispanic migrant farmworkers Perinatal care outcomes Optimality Index-US (OI-US) Epidemiologic paradox

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79953754537&doi=10.1891%2f1540-4153.9.1.22&partnerID=40&md5=8e68a9ba1b9118aca684293ad932f267
DOI: 10.1891/1540-4153.9.1.22
ISSN: 15404153
Original Language: English