Abstract
Objective
The Manitoba Centre for Health Policy was commissioned by Manitoba’s provincial health department to examine the health of newborns born 1994 through 1998, using three indicators: preterm birth (37 weeks gestation), birthweight, and type of infant feeding.
Methods
Data were derived from the Population Health Research Data Repository and the National longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth 1996. Variation by 12 Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and by 12 Winnipeg Community Areas (CAs) was examined, as well as associations with the population’s health and socioeconomic well-being.
Results
Manitoba’s preterm birth rate was 6.7% of live births, from 5.3% to 7.4% by RHA, and 5.7% to 8.0% by Winnipeg CA. Manitoba’s low birthweight rate (<2500 g) was 5.3%, from 2.7% to 5.7% by RHA, and 4.4% to 7.2% by Winnipeg CA. The lower the income, the greater the likelihood of low birthweight (p<0.05). Manitoba’s breastfeeding initiation rate was 78%, from 64% to 87% by RHA, and 66% to 90% by Winnipeg CA. The lower the income and the poorer the health status of the population, the lower the breastfeeding rate (p<0.001). Of those initiating breastfeeding, 42% breastfed for at least six months.
Conclusion
Factors affecting child health in Manitoba could be addressed through systematic programs both during pregnancy and during the postpartum period, including support for nutritional counselling, promotion of breastfeeding, smoking cessation programs, and social policy decisions designed to overcome disparities within low-income groups and populations with poorer health status.
Résumé
Objectif
le Centre d’élaboration et d’évaluation de la politique des soins de santé du Manitoba a été mandaté par le ministère manitobain de la Santé pour étudier l’état de santé des nouveau-nés nés entre 1994 et 1998 selon trois indicateurs: les naissances avant terme (37 semaines de gestation), le poids à la naissance et l’alimentation du nourrisson.
Méthode
les données ont été dérivées du Population Health Research Data Repository et de l’Enquête longitudinale nationale sur les enfants et les jeunes (1996). On a examiné les écarts entre 12 ORS et 12 CR de Winnipeg, ainsi que leurs liens avec l’état de santé et le bien-être socioéconomique de la population.
Résultats
le taux de naissance avant terme au Manitoba était de 6,7 % des naissances vivantes et variait de 5,3 % à 7,4 % selon l’ORS et de 5,7 % à 8,0 % selon le CR de Winnipeg. Le taux manitobain d’insuffisance de poids à la naissance (2 500 g) était de 5,3 % et variait de 2,7 % à 5,7 % selon l’ORS et de 4,4 % à 7,2 % selon le CR. Plus le revenu était faible, plus la probabilité d’une insuffisance de poids à la naissance était forte (p<0,05). Le taux d’allaitement maternel au Manitoba était de 78 % et variait de 64 % à 87 % selon l’ORS et de 66 % à 90 % selon le CR. Plus le revenu et l’état de santé de la population étaient faibles, plus le taux d’allaitement l’était aussi (p<0,001). Parmi les femmes ayant allaité, 42 % l’avaient fait pendant au moins six mois.
Conclusion
On pourrait agir sur les facteurs qui influent sur la santé des enfants manitobains par le biais de programmes systématiques durant la grossesse et la période post-partum, notamment en appuyant le counselling nutritionnel, la promotion de l’allaitement, le renoncement au tabac et les politiques sociales visant à combler les écarts au sein des groupes à faible revenu et des populations dont l’état de santé est relativement mauvais.
Footnotes
The full report “Assessing the Health of Children in Manitoba: A Population-Based Study” on which this article is based is available from the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy at the above address or online at: http://www.umanitoba.ca/centres/mchp/reports.htm
Sources of support: This work was supported as part of a project on child health in Manitoba, one of several projects undertaken each year by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy under contract to Manitoba Health. The results and conclusions are those of the authors and no official endorsement by Manitoba Health was intended or should be inferred. Dr. Martens was also supported by a Community Alliances for Health Research Program grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Formerly from MCHPE
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