When husband migrate: effects of international migration of husbands on fetal outcomes, body mass index and gestational weight of female spouses that stay behind

Renuka Jayatissa; Kolitha Wickramage; Buddhini Herath Denuwara; Himali Herath; Ranbanda Jayawardana; Amila Gayan Perera; Nawamali De Alwis

doi:10.1186/s12889-022-12615-0

When husband migrate: effects of international migration of husbands on fetal outcomes, body mass index and gestational weight of female spouses that stay behind

BMC Public Health. 2022 Feb 1;22(1):211. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-12615-0.

Authors

Renuka Jayatissa¹, Kolitha Wickramage², Buddhini Herath Denuwara³, Himali Herath³, Ranbanda Jayawardana³, Amila Gayan Perera³, Nawamali De Alwis³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition, Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 527, Dr. Danister De Silva Mawatha, Colombo 08, 0080, Sri Lanka. renukajayatissa@ymail.com.
² Global Migration Health Research and Epidemiology Unit, Migration Health Division, Paseo De Roxas Makati City, 1226, Manila, Philippines.
³ Department of Nutrition, Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 527, Dr. Danister De Silva Mawatha, Colombo 08, 0080, Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Background: International labour migration continues to be an integral component in Sri Lanka's economic development. Previous research indicates an adverse perinatal outcome in association with low maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (PBMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG). However, evidence of this association is limited in migrant families. This study aims to investigate the associations between PBMI, GWG among lactating mothers (LM), and fetal outcomes in migrant households, where the father is the migrant worker.

Methods: A secondary data analysis was done using a nationally representative sample of 7,199 LM. There were 284 LM whose husbands were international migrant workers. Maternal factors were taken as PBMI<18.5 kg/m² and GWG<7kg. Preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW) were taken as fetal outcomes. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the associated factors.

Results: There was significant difference between LM from migrant and non-migrant households with regards to place of residency, ethnicity, household monthly income, household food security, average household members, husband's education and husband's age. Among migrant, PBMI<18.5 kg/m² was associated with current BMI and mode of delivery. Migrant LM had significantly higher weight gain (≥12 kg) during pregnancy (p=0.005), were multiparous (p=0.008), delivered in private hospital (p=0.000), lesser percentage of underweight (p=0.002) and higher birthweight (p=0.03) than non-migrant LM. Logistic regression model revealed that for each kilogram increment in birthweight and GWG, preterm delivery decreased by 89%(OR=0.11;95%CI:0.04-0.28) and LBW decreased by 12%(OR=0.89;95%CI:0.81-0.97) respectively. Caesarean deliveries were positively associated with low GWG.

Conclusion: Our study showed LM in migrant families had invested remittances to utilize private health facilities for deliveries, to improve weight gain during pregnancy and adequate PBMI to deliver higher birth weight babies. In depth study is needed to understand further utilisation of remittances to improve fetal outcomes by increasing birthweight and GWG in migrant families.

Keywords: BMI; Gestational weight gain; Lactating women; Low birthweight; Migrant husband; Pre-pregnancy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Birth Weight
Body Mass Index
Emigration and Immigration
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Lactation
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome / epidemiology
Premature Birth*
Spouses*
Weight Gain