Racial and ethnic disparities in premature births among pregnant women in the NISAMI cohort, Brazil.

The incidence of premature birth has increased worldwide, unequally distributed by race/ethnicity. Racism generates economic inequalities, educational disparities, and differential access to health care, which increases the risk of preterm birth. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with preterm birth and racial and ethnic disparities in premature birth among pregnant women attending prenatal care at the Brazilian Unified Health System health units in the urban area of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. This study used data from 938 pregnant women aged between 18 to 45 years within the NISAMI prospective cohort. Premature birth prevalence was 11.8%, with a higher prevalence among black than non-black women (12.9% versus 6.0%, respectively). Maternal age between 18 and 24 years was the only factor associated with premature birth. A higher risk of premature birth was found among black women than non-black women (RR 3.22; 95%CI 1.42-7.32). These results reveal the existence of racial and social inequalities in the occurrence of premature birth.

Racial and ethnic disparities in premature births among pregnant women in the NISAMI cohort, Brazil / Disparidades étnicas e raciais nos partos prematuros entre gestantes da coorte NISAMI, Brasil

Abstract The incidence of premature birth has increased worldwide, unequally distributed by race/ethnicity. Racism generates economic inequalities, educational disparities, and differential access to health care, which increases the risk of preterm birth. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with preterm birth and racial and ethnic disparities in premature birth among pregnant women attending prenatal care at the Brazilian Unified Health System health units in the urban area of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. This study used data from 938 pregnant women aged between 18 to 45 years within the NISAMI prospective cohort. Premature birth prevalence was 11.8%, with a higher prevalence among black than non-black women (12.9% versus 6.0%, respectively). Maternal age between 18 and 24 years was the only factor associated with premature birth. A higher risk of premature birth was found among black women than non-black women (RR 3.22; 95%CI 1.42-7.32). These results reveal the existence of racial and social inequalities in the occurrence of premature birth.

Resumo A incidência de parto prematuro tem aumentado em todo o mundo, distribuída de forma desigual por raça/etnia. O racismo gera desigualdades econômicas, disparidades educacionais e acesso diferenciado à saúde, o que aumenta o risco de parto prematuro. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os fatores associados à prematuridade e disparidades raciais e étnicas no parto prematuro entre gestantes atendidas durante o pré-natal em unidades de saúde do Sistema Único de Saúde na zona urbana de Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brasil. Este estudo utilizou dados de 938 mulheres grávidas com idade entre 18 e 45 anos dentro da coorte prospectiva do NISAMI. A prevalência de prematuridade foi de 11,8%, sendo maior entre as negras do que entre as não negras (12,9% versus 6,0%, respectivamente). A idade materna entre 18 e 24 anos foi o único fator associado ao parto prematuro. Foi encontrado maior risco de prematuridade entre as mulheres negras do que entre as não negras (RR 3,22; IC95% 1,42-7,32). Esses resultados revelam a existência de desigualdades raciais e sociais na ocorrência do parto prematuro.