The numerically large and growing Indochinese refugee population has been little studied with respect to infant health. It is a population that is young, is experiencing high fertility, late onset of prenatal care, and is characterized by low socioeconomic status. Thus, it presents a high risk profile with respect to infant mortality. Using linked birth and infant death records for the San Diego metropolitan area for the period 1978-1985 infant mortality rates (IMRs) were calculated for Indochinese refugee groups from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in comparison with other ethnic groups. We found, surprisingly, that Indochinese refugees as a group had an IMR below that for non-Hispanic Whites and substantially below that for Blacks. In general, IMRs for Indochinese refugees were similar to those for other Asian groups. These findings held even after controlling for birth weight and onset of prenatal care. The timing and causes of death suggest areas in which the IMR could drop to even lower levels with improved community outreach programs, especially among refugee groups from Laos (Hmong and Lao) who exhibited the unusual pattern of higher post-early neonatal than early neonatal mortality. © 1991.

Indochinese refugees Prenatal care Birth weight Infant mortality

metropolitan area Vietnam urban area immigrant Negro refugee prenatal care adaptation Caucasian Cambodia Laos human Ethnic Groups ethnic group comparative study fertility United States social status ethnic difference California Infant, Newborn environmental factor Viet Nam Infant risk factor Article Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. immigrant group infant welfare Indochinese group fertility impact USA, California, San Diego socio-economic status ethnic refugees fetus outcome Infant Mortality normal human Emigration and Immigration Population Characteristics Birth Weight child death