The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40988

Sheila F. Mahoney, RN, BSN, MS and Lorraine Halinka Malcoe, PhD, MPH. Master's in Public Health, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, 2400 Tucker NE, FPC 149, Albuquerque, NM 87131-5267, 505-344-3976, smahoney@abq.ihs.gov

Objectives: Cesarean section rates among Native American populations tend to be lower than the general population. This study proposes to examine the prevalence of risk and protective factors for cesarean section among Native American women delivering at the Santa Fe Indian Hospital and to compare the prevalence of these factors with estimates published in the literature among non-Native populations. Methods: This retrospective, records-based study utilizes data from the obstetrical logbook at the Santa Fe Indian Hospital for the years 1996 through 1999. Information from the logbook includes demographic variables, prenatal course, intrapartum course and type of delivery. Demographic data includes age, parity, tribe, level of education and marital status. Prenatal factors include adequacy of prenatal care attendance. Obstetrical risk factors include diabetes, chronic hypertension, pregnancy induced hypertension and anemia. Intrapartum factors include birth weight, induction of labor, augmentation of labor, length of labor and type of attendant at delivery. Labor and delivery complications to be addressed include fetal distress, presence of meconium and arrested progress. Results: Preliminary results show that cesarean sections in this population, as expected, are low. There are no differences between demographic characteristics and type of delivery. Statistical differences appear to be related to medical factors such as arrested labor, presence of a medical diagnosis in pregnancy, induction of labor and being categorized as high risk.

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