Premium
Obstetric outcome of immigrants from mainland China in Hong Kong
Author(s) -
Leung T.N.,
Lau T.K.,
Roach V.J.,
Wilson D.,
Rogers M.S.,
Chang A.M.Z.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/s0020-7292(98)00100-3
Subject(s) - medicine , disadvantaged , immigration , incidence (geometry) , china , pregnancy , mainland china , mainland , demography , obstetrics , economic growth , sociology , political science , law , economics , history , ecology , physics , genetics , archaeology , biology , optics
Objective: To compare obstetric outcomes in two socio‐economically distinct populations; illegal immigrants, who travelled across the Chinese border near term to deliver in Hong Kong between 1994 and 1996, and local Hong Kong residents. Methods: We identified two obstetric populations in our hospital with distinct social characteristics and patterns of antenatal care. A retrospective study of pregnancy outcome was conducted in these women. Results: When compared with Hong Kong residents, the illegal immigrants had a significantly lower incidence of antenatal complications, a lower requirement for obstetric intervention, and comparable obstetric outcome with the exception of a higher rate of delivery before arrival at hospital. Conclusion: Our findings were in contrast to previous reports, and contrary to our expectations. Obstetric outcome is multifactorial and previous assumptions about unbooked or socially disadvantaged patients should be re‐evaluated.