Reproductive and Birth Outcomes in Haiti Before and After the 2010 Earthquake. (9th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harville, Emily W.; Do, Mai
• Is Part Of: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Volume 10:Number 1(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 59
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2015-06-09
• Subjects: disaster, -- birth weight, -- pregnancy, -- unwanted, -- developing country; Disaster medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Planning -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2015.69
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-7893

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: We aimed to examine the relationship between exposure to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and pregnancy wantedness, interpregnancy interval, and birth weight. Methods: From the nationally representative Haiti 2012 Demographic and Health Survey, information on "size of child at birth" (too small or not) was available for 7280 singleton births in the previous 5 years, whereas information on birth weight was available for 1607 births. Pregnancy wantedness, short (<1 year) interpregnancy interval, and maternal-reported birth weight were compared before and after the earthquake and by level of damage. Multiple logistic regression and linear regression analyses were conducted. Results: Post-earthquake births were less likely to be wanted and more likely to be born after a short interpregnancy interval. Earthquake exposure was associated with increased likelihood of a child being born too small: timing of birth (after earthquake vs. before earthquake, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.45), region (hardest-hit vs. rest of country; aOR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.14- 1.80), and house damage (aOR: 1.27 95% CI: 1.02-1.58). Mean birth weight was 150 to 300 g lower in those exposed to the earthquake. Conclusions: Experience with the earthquake was associated with worse reproductive and birth outcomes, which underscores the need to provide reproductive health services as part of relief efforts. ( Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness . 2016;10:59-66)