Risk of low birthweight in social districts of Copenhagen

R Lund, J Modvig, J Hilden, N Rosdahl, L Kure, K Schmidt

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The purpose of this survey was to investigate the small-area variations in low birthweight within social services districts in Copenhagen and the relation of such variations to the socioeconomic characteristics of the district. The study was based on register data and included all live-born single on births to women living in the city of Copenhagen from 1987-90. We found a statistically significant association between district and risk of newborns being small-for-gestational age (SGA). This association was independent of adjustment for maternal age and parity. Only part of the association was explained, though this was still significant, using an index summarizing the socioeconomic living conditions in the district. Splitting up the index into its four constituent components, however, showed that the association between SGA and district was primarily due to housing conditions in the districts. Mapping the districts demonstrated a clear tendency of clustering of the high-risk areas with poor socioeconomic conditions.
Original languageEnglish
JournalScandinavian Journal of Public Health
Volume27
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)89-93
Number of pages4
ISSN1403-4948
Publication statusPublished - 1999

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Cluster Analysis; Denmark; Female; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Age; Odds Ratio; Parity; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Urban Population

Cite this