Prevention Science 15(3):277-282 Multiple risk factors during pregnancy in South Africa: the need for a horizontal approach to perinatal care
Type
E-Journal
Authors
ISSN
1573-6695
Category
ECCE, Preschool
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Publication Year
2013
Publisher
SpringerLink, New York, United States
URL
[ private ]
Pages
6 p.
Subject
Early childhood care and education (ECCE), Pregnant women, Risk factors, Depression, HIV and Aids, Alcohol use, Maternal health, Child health, Prenatal care delivery, Pregnancy risk, South Africa
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Series Name
Abstract
South African children’s long-term health and well-being are jeopardized during their mothers’ pregnancies by the intersecting epidemics of HIV, alcohol use, low birth weight (LBW; <2,500 g) related to poor nutrition, and depressed mood. This research examines these overlapping risk factors among 1,145 pregnant Xhosa women living in 24 township neighbourhoods in Cape Town, South Africa. Results revealed that 66 % of pregnant women experienced at least one risk factor. In descending order of prevalence, 37 % reported depressed mood, 29 % were HIV+, 25 % used alcohol prior to knowing that they were pregnant, and 15 % had a previous childbirth with an LBW infant. Approximately 27 % of women had more than one risk factor: depressed mood was significantly associated with alcohol use and LBW, with a trend to significance with HIV+. In addition, alcohol use was significantly related to HIV+. These results suggest the importance of intervening across multiple risks to maternal and child health, and particularly with depression and alcohol use, to positively impact multiple maternal and infant outcomes.
Description
Article
URL directs the user to the open access version at the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD. SpringerLink is for subscribers only.
URL directs the user to the open access version at the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD. SpringerLink is for subscribers only.
Number of Copies
1
