Low birth weight and marital status
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Socio-demographic and household characteristics of unmarried mothers in Northern Ireland as risk factors for low birthweight and infant death
IRAS ID
212765
Contact name
Karen Casson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Proj-011, ADRN Project Number
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
Background
In the 2011 census almost one in every 3 households with children in Northern Ireland was a single parent family with women accounting for the majority of lone parents. Lone parents are more likely to be living in deprived circumstances and suffer from poor mental health. Mothers who are not married when they register their child’s birth are also at increased risk of poorer pregnancy outcomes than married mothers, such as infant death and having a low birthweight baby. This is important as low birthweight has detrimental effects on later health, leading to an increased risk of asthma, stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.Having a partner protects women from poor pregnancy outcomes to some extent but those who are living with their partner but not married to them still do less well than those who are married. From previous research by this group it does not appear to be marriage itself which is protective. Other risk factors at the individual level, such as maternal education, mental health problems during pregnancy and maternal smoking, and household characteristics, such as accommodation type and familial support in the household, need to be examined.
Aim
To explore the individual socio-demographic and household characteristics that are associated with low birthweight and infant death among unmarried mothers.Method
A population-based cohort study will be conducted, through the Administrative Data Research Network, based on all registered live births in Northern Ireland 2010-2016. Birth records will be linked to the NI Maternity System and infant death data to identify low birth weight and infant death outcomes. Maternal individual socio-demographic and household characteristics will be provided through linkage to the 2011 census; Enhanced Prescribing Database; 2010 NI Multiple Deprivation Measure and Valuation and Lands Agency Rating List. Logistic regression will be used for the analysis.REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1200
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion