An Association between Maternal Occupations and Low Birth Weight Infants in Japan from 1995 to 2015

Differences in low birth weight rate depending on maternal socioeconomic characteristics have not yet been demonstrated using the Vital Statistics in Japan; therefore, this study aimed to investigate these differences according to maternal occupations. “Report of Vital Statistics: Occupational and Industrial Aspects” and the Vital Statistics in Japan were used every five years from 1995 to 2015. Nine types of occupations were compared. The low birth weight rate was calculated according to maternal occupations and year. Also, the standardized low birth weight ratio was obtained by dividing the number of low-birth-weight infants for each maternal occupation by an expected number of low birth weight infants. The standardized low birth weight ratio for manual workers was the highest among all occupations from 2000 to 2015, and it was significantly higher than one throughout the years. The ratio for clerical workers was also significantly higher than one from 1995 to 2010. Whereas, the ratio for farmers was significantly lower than one in most of the years. It was suggested that health guidance and prenatal care are particularly needed for manual workers, and a study investigating the differences in prenatal characteristics among maternal occupations is necessary for finding a reason for disparity.

Download Full-text

Association of Maternal Demographic Characteristics With Breastfeeding of Low Birth Weight Infants in Ohio in 2012

Clinical Lactation ◽

10.1891/2158-0782.8.1.22 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 22-27

Author(s):

Raymond I. Okeke ◽

Sara J. Paton ◽

Linda J. Smith ◽

Naila Khalil

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

African American ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Vital Statistics ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Breastfeeding Initiation ◽

Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽

Low Birth Weight Infants ◽

Prenatal Visits

Background:Breastfeeding is the biologic norm for infant feeding and vitally important for newborns especially the low birth weight (LBW) infant population who have higher morbidity and mortality. For LBW infants in Ohio, prevalence of breastfeeding with maternal sociodemographic factors is not fully known.Methods:The 2012 Ohio Vital Statistics Birth data including 10,571 LBW infants compiled by the Ohio Department of Health were analyzed (8.5% of the total Ohio births in 2012). Descriptive sociodemographic characteristics were summarized by breastfeeding status. Association of breastfeeding in LBW infants was computed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression (LR) analyses.Results:Among the LBW infants, 60% were breastfed. Breastfeeding was significantly higher in LBW infants with increasing maternal age and mothers with more prenatal visits. Within all three race categories (White, African American, others), more mothers breastfed LBW babies. However, among LBW babies being breastfed, the highest proportion was in White families. Mother’s education greater than high school, being married, not on Medicaid, and being nonsmoker were associated with higher rates of breastfeeding. In multivariate LR, increased prenatal visits (OR = 1.03, 95% CI [1.02, 1.04], p < .001) were associated with a higher breastfeeding percentage compared to mothers of African American race, LBW babies of “other race” had 71% significantly higher breastfeeding percentage (OR = 1.71, 95% CI [1.39, 2.11], p < .001). Having a high school or higher education (OR = 1.52, 95% CI [1.37, 1.69], p < .001), married (OR = 1.69, 95% CI [1.52, 1.87], p < .001), not on Medicaid (OR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.44, 1.75], p < .001), and not smoking (OR = 2.04, 95% CI [1.84, 2.26], p < .001) were associated with higher breastfeeding percentage.Conclusion:The prevalence of breastfeeding initiation in LBW infants is lower than normal-weight infants. Mothers’ sociodemographic characteristics affect breastfeeding in LBW infants in the same way they affect mothers with normal-weight infants. Targeted efforts during antenatal care to promote breastfeeding would help LBW infants.

Download Full-text

Changes in the Coefficient Variations of Live Birth Weight in Japan, 1969-1985

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/101053958900300407 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 285-290

Author(s):

Shigenori Makino ◽

Hirotoshi Iwata

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Child Health ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Live Birth ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Vital Statistics ◽

Low Birth Weight Infants ◽

And Child Health ◽

Singleton Live Birth

The present study was conducted on changes in the coefficient variations of live birth weight and in the proportion of singleton live birth weight by gestational age using vital statistics compiled by the Japanese government from 1969 to 1985. The coefficient variations of live birth weight declined between 1969 and 1977-78 and then increased. The coefficient variations of live birth weight were affected by the percentage of low birth weight infants. The decline in the coefficient variations depends on the decrease of low birth weight infants, while the increase in the coefficient variations depends on the increase of low birth weight infants. Recently, the proportion of low birth weight infants has increased in Japan. Perinatal mortality rates, which indicate the level of maternal and child health, have decreased annually.

Download Full-text