The differences in perinatal outcomes between refugee and resident mother-infant dyads: A retrospective study in Turkey between 2013 and 2018

Health Care Women Int. 2024;45(2):251-264. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2021.1954648. Epub 2021 Aug 11.

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to examine and compare the perinatal outcomes between refugee and resident mother-infant dyads. Data of refugee women who had given birth in a university hospital (n = 924) and matched resident mother-infant dyads (n = 957) were included. Analysis revealed higher adolescent pregnancy rates and lower rates of antenatal care attendance among refugee mothers compared to residents. No significant differences in neonatal outcomes were found, except for a significantly higher number of preterm births among refugee infants. Interventions should be made to ensure antenatal care for all pregnant women, which can also prevent preterm birth.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Mothers
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth* / epidemiology
  • Refugees*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Turkey / epidemiology