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Pregnancy Outcomes of Inmates in a Large County Jail Setting
Author(s) -
Mertens Diana J
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1046/j.1525-1446.2001.00045.x
Subject(s) - pregnancy , medicine , medical record , low birth weight , population , demography , public health , psychiatry , environmental health , family medicine , gerontology , nursing , biology , genetics , radiology , sociology
The purpose of this study was to examine low birthweight (LBW) and fetal death rates for women incarcerated in a large county jail during their pregnancy. Additionally, medical and support services available to these inmates were reviewed. Jail records showed this population to be both medically and socially high risk. Analysis indicated that their LBW rate was statistically higher ( p < 0.05) than that of the county or state, but comparable to a matched group residing in high‐risk areas of the city in which many of these women resided. During the course of the study, numerous jail policies were identified which had the potential to negatively impact the health of these women and their pregnancy outcomes.