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Kim: A Comparative Study on Birth Outcomes between Korean Women and Immigrant Women
Original Article
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2011; 17(4): 407-414.

Published online: 28 December 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2011.17.4.407

A Comparative Study on Birth Outcomes between Korean Women and Immigrant Women

Moon Jeong Kim

Full-time Lecturer, College of Nursing, Jeju National University, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kim, Moon Jeong, College of Nursing, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehakno, Jeju 690-756, Korea. Tel: 82-64-754-3751, Fax: 82-64-702-2686, mjy7955@jejunu.ac.kr

Received 3 July 2011       Accepted 9 December 2011

Copyright © 2011 Korean Academy of Women's Health Nursing

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare birth outcomes between Korean women and immigrant women.

Methods

Medical records were reviewed retrospectively from 201 immigrant women and 201 Korean women who delivered babies at K women's hospital in U city from January 2006 to December 2009. Maternal outcomes related factors included nationality, age, obstetric history, delivery type, indications of cesarean section, and complications of pregnancy and delivery. Principal neonatal outcomes were birth weight, Apgar scores, and complications of newborns.

Results

Immigrant women were younger and had fewer pregnancies, abortions, and surviving children than Korean women. The rate of primary cesarean section and its indication in immigrant women were not significantly different from Korean women. However, immigrant women's newborn were more likely to have low birth weight and meconium staining.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate less equity of immigrant women in women's health care, although immigrant women's babies had lower Apgar score and more meconium staining. Nurses should help immigrant women cope with labor process effectively to prevent adverse health outcomes for their newborns.

Keywords: Cultural diversity, Obstetric delivery, Pregnancy, Newborn

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Nationality of Immigrant Women (N=402)
kjwhn-17-407-i001
Table 2
Comparison of Delivery Output between Korean Women and Immigrant Women (n=402)
kjwhn-17-407-i002

VD=vaginal delivery; C/S=cesarean section; CPD=cephalo-pelvic disproportion.

†Fisher's exact test.

*p<.05, **p<.01, ***p<.001.

Table 3
Comparison of Obstetrical History between Korean Women and Immigrant Women (age controlled) (N=402)
kjwhn-17-407-i003

*p<.05, **p<.01.

Table 4
Comparison of Neonatal Outcomes between Korean Women and Immigrant Women (n=402)
kjwhn-17-407-i004

*p<.05, **p<.01,

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