1. Single-Centre Retrospective Cohort Study of Demographic Characteristics and Perinatal Outcomes in Pregnant Refugee Patients in Toronto, Canada.
- Author
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Clarfield L, Little D, Svendrovski A, Yudin MH, and De Souza LR
- Subjects
- Pregnancy, Female, Humans, Retrospective Studies, Ontario epidemiology, Gestational Age, Demography, Prenatal Care
- Abstract
Pregnant refugee patients are especially vulnerable to adverse perinatal outcomes. Detailed characterization of this heterogenous population will identify risk factors and thus guide contextualized initiatives for improved patient care. A retrospective cohort study of obstetrical refugee patients at a tertiary-care hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Of 196 pregnant refugees, 48% were fluent English speaking, 57% had poor social support, and 42% lived in a shelter. Eighty-seven percent started prenatal care after the first trimester, which was associated with delivery of a large-for-gestational-age infant (p = 0.043). Sixteen percent experienced family violence, which was associated with poor fetal aggregate outcomes (p = 0.03). There were significantly higher rates of pre-eclampsia and Cesarean sections in refugee versus non-refugee patients (p < 0.05). Pregnant refugees are at risk for psychosocial challenges and experience significantly worse obstetrical outcomes compared with non-refugees. Quality improvement initiatives should focus on access to early prenatal care, stable housing, and support for victims of family violence., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)
- Published
- 2023
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