Maternal Marital Status as a Risk Factor for Infant Mortality

• DOI: 10.2307/2135890
• Publication Date: 2006-05-03T22:13:40Z
• Authors: Trude Bennett; Paula Braveman; Susan Egerter; John L. Kiely
• Keywords: Marital status; Birth certificate; Death certificate

The increased risk of infant mortality associated with single motherhood is neither consistent among social and demographic subgroups nor inevitable, according to data from national linked birth death files for 1983-1985. Maternal age the only variable found have a significant interaction marital status black mothers, unmarried increases age. Among white age, educational level receipt prenatal care all show interactions status; risks attributed are concentrated usually thought be at lower risk. For example, women relative married highest 25-29-year-olds. However, being did not affect babies born college-educated women.Linked certificates were used in analysis 1983 1985 on singleton live births Black White women. sample included 1,656,044 Blacks 8,691,059 Whites. Marital was available directly 41 states inferred remainder certificate information. Risk factors parity, education, initiation care, urban residence. Differences by race converged when considered separately. Educational unmarrieds similar High over 20/1000 women: 3 children, under 18 34 years old, 12 later or no care. Increased related increasing mother regardless race. 24% higher 35 old than those less 18-19 old. began adolescents, rose, plateaued 30 had 20-24 years, peak 25-29 high levels older ages 25-29, greater some college education. caveat that information dated 10 years; however other 1987 has been determined quite trends. A strong finding alone good predictor combined disadvantaged may critical factor, since most poverty rates. Race stronger marker status. Recommendations universal access health elimination punitive measures restricting benefits mothers. Programs need build strengths mothers promote support systems.