Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
Volume 61, Issue 2, 2011, Pages 161-164

Maternal risk factors in Afghan-refugees compared to Pakistani mothers in Peshawar, NWFP Pakistan (Article)

Badshah S.* , Mason L. , Mckelvie K. , Payne R. , Lisboa P.J.G.
  • a Department of Statistics, Islamia College Chartered University, Peshawar NWFP, Pakistan
  • b School of Applied Community and Social Studies, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
  • c Formerly School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
  • d Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool UK. Biomathematics and Bioinformatics Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
  • e School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom

Abstract

Objective: To determine the health risk factors associated with Afghan refugee mothers compared to Pakistani mothers. Method: A total of 1039 records of newborn and their mothers collected prospectively from the four publichospitals in Peshawar during August-November 2003 were analysed, using crude and adjusted odds ratios for the comparison. Results: The data revealed that low birthweight was 2.6 times higher in Afghan refugees compared to Pakistani mothers adjusting for all other important covariates. The univariate analysis highlighted a number of factors, however, the multivariate method established significant association of Afghan refugees with Tribal areas, older age and an un-registered pregnancy compared to Pakistani mothers. Conclusions: High geo-demographic risk factors were seen in Afghan refugee mothers; for which an appropriate strategy is required to provide reasonable healthcare facilities in the Tribal areas, and disseminate information regarding the risks involved in non-registration and old age pregnancies.

Author Keywords

Afghan refugees Ethnicity maternal health New born health

Index Keywords

Pakistan prospective study Afghanistan refugee Hospitals, Public Maternal Age demography register Prospective Studies human risk assessment Refugees Asian continental ancestry group Ethnic Groups controlled study geographic distribution Logistic Models Humans Infant, Newborn covariance female Socioeconomic Factors Risk Factors medical record newborn Mothers pregnancy Infant, Low Birth Weight Article pregnancy outcome major clinical study adult age maternal welfare health care facility health hazard
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79251522871&partnerID=40&md5=9e7ebdb60a6579cadf764f6a5dea2bf6
ISSN: 00309982
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English