http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/060606/d060606c.htm

Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Study: Neighbourhood income, maternal education and birth outcomes in
Quebec
1991 to 2000

Women with lower levels of education and those who live in poorer
neighbourhoods are more vulnerable to adverse birth outcomes, according to
a new study.

The study, which examined all births in Quebec from 1991 through 2000,
found that the mother's level of education and the socio-economic status of
the neighbourhood in which she lived were associated with higher risks of
pre-term birth, small-for-gestational age birth, stillbirth, neonatal death
and post-neonatal death.

The impacts of maternal education were stronger than those of neighbourhood
income, and were independent of neighbourhood income, according to the
study.

In both urban and rural areas, the effects of low maternal education were
strongest for small-for-gestational-age births and post-neonatal death.

The large beneficial impact of higher maternal education on post-neonatal
mortality may operate through better knowledge of infant care, especially
sleep position, as evidenced by important differences in the risks of
sudden infant death syndrome.

Mothers with low education in rural areas seemed more vulnerable to
neonatal death, particularly for death due to immaturity-related
conditions. The authors speculate that access to high-quality neonatal
intensive care may be more limited for mothers with low education in rural
settings.

The findings suggest that in both urban and rural areas, lesser-educated
women and those from poorer neighbourhoods may benefit from heightened
vigilance and counselling from perinatal care providers, the study said.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related
surveys, 3231, 3233 and 3234.

The study "Effect of neighbourhood income and maternal education on birth
outcomes: A Population-based study" published in the Canadian Medical
Association Journal, is a collaboration of Statistics Canada, the
University of Montréal, and McGill University. The full text of the article
is available free, in English only, at (http://www.cmaj.ca).

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data
quality of the study, or to obtain a copy, contact Russell Wilkins
(1-613-951-5305; [log in to unmask]), Health Analysis and
Measurement Group.


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