Probability Samples of Area Births versus Clinic Populations for Reproductive Epidemiology Studies

Citation

Savitz, David A.; Dole, Nancy; Kaczor, Diane T.; Herring, Amy H.; Siega-Riz, Anna Maria; Kaufman, Jay S.; & Thorp, John M., Jr. (2005). Probability Samples of Area Births versus Clinic Populations for Reproductive Epidemiology Studies. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 19(4), 315-322.

Abstract

Studies of pregnancy outcome are generally based either on geographically defined populations, often from birth records, or on clinic or hospital populations. We compared women recruited into a clinic-based study, the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition (PIN) Study, with women who resided in the geographical area of the study (Alamance, Orange, and Wake Counties in North Carolina) and gave birth over the corresponding time period (1996–2000). Clinic participants were more likely to be Black, younger, have lower education, be unmarried, have a more frequent history of
adverse pregnancy outcome, obtain prenatal care later, and smoke more cigarettes. Despite that profile, the proportion of clinic participants delivering preterm was somewhat lower than among area women overall (10.8% vs. 11.3%). Black/White risk ratios for preterm birth were markedly different for area (1.6) vs. clinic women (1.1), whereas other predictors were similar. Patterns may differ across groups for many reasons,
including self-selection of clinics and varying clinical practices.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3016.2005.00649.x

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2005

Journal Title

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology

Author(s)

Savitz, David A.
Dole, Nancy
Kaczor, Diane T.
Herring, Amy H.
Siega-Riz, Anna Maria
Kaufman, Jay S.
Thorp, John M., Jr.

ORCiD

Siega-Riz - 0000-0002-1303-4248
Thorp - 0000-0002-9307-6690
Dole - 0000-0002-2113-7984