Income-related and educational inequality in small-for-gestational age and preterm birth in Denmark and Finland 1987-2003

TY - JOUR

T1 - Income-related and educational inequality in small-for-gestational age and preterm birth in Denmark and Finland 1987-2003

AU - Mortensen, Laust H

AU - Lauridsen, Jørgen T

AU - Diderichsen, Finn

AU - Kaplan, George A

AU - Gissler, Mika

AU - Andersen, Anne-Marie N

PY - 2010/2

Y1 - 2010/2

N2 - Aims: In this paper, we examine income- and education-related inequality in small-for-gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth in Denmark and Finland from 1987 to 2003 using concentration indexes (CIXs). Methods: From the national medical birth registries we gathered information on all births from 1987 to 2003. Information on highest completed maternal education and household income in the year preceding birth of the offspring was obtained for 1,012,400 births in Denmark and 499,390 in Finland. We then calculated CIXs for income- and education-related inequality in SGA and preterm birth. Results: The mean household income-related inequality in SGA was −0.04 (95% confidence interval: −0.05, −0.04) in Denmark and −0.03 (−0.04, −0.02) in Finland. The maternal education-related inequality in SGA was −0.08 (−0.10, −0.06) in Denmark and −0.07 (−0.08, −0.06) in Finland. The income-related inequality in preterm birth was −0.03 (−0.03, −0.02) in Denmark and −0.03 (−0.04, −0.02) in Finland. The education-related inequality in preterm birth was −0.05 (−0.07, −0.04) in Denmark and −0.04 (−0.05, −0.03) in Finland. In Denmark, the income-related and education-related inequity in SGA increased over time. In Finland, the income-related inequality in SGA birth increased slightly, while education-related inequalities remained stable. Inequalities in preterm birth decreased over time in both countries. Conclusions: Denmark and Finland are examples of nations with free prenatal care and publicly financed obstetric care of high quality. During the period of study there were macroeconomic shocks affecting both countries. However, only small income- and education-related inequalities in SGA and preterm births during the period were observed.

AB - Aims: In this paper, we examine income- and education-related inequality in small-for-gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth in Denmark and Finland from 1987 to 2003 using concentration indexes (CIXs). Methods: From the national medical birth registries we gathered information on all births from 1987 to 2003. Information on highest completed maternal education and household income in the year preceding birth of the offspring was obtained for 1,012,400 births in Denmark and 499,390 in Finland. We then calculated CIXs for income- and education-related inequality in SGA and preterm birth. Results: The mean household income-related inequality in SGA was −0.04 (95% confidence interval: −0.05, −0.04) in Denmark and −0.03 (−0.04, −0.02) in Finland. The maternal education-related inequality in SGA was −0.08 (−0.10, −0.06) in Denmark and −0.07 (−0.08, −0.06) in Finland. The income-related inequality in preterm birth was −0.03 (−0.03, −0.02) in Denmark and −0.03 (−0.04, −0.02) in Finland. The education-related inequality in preterm birth was −0.05 (−0.07, −0.04) in Denmark and −0.04 (−0.05, −0.03) in Finland. In Denmark, the income-related and education-related inequity in SGA increased over time. In Finland, the income-related inequality in SGA birth increased slightly, while education-related inequalities remained stable. Inequalities in preterm birth decreased over time in both countries. Conclusions: Denmark and Finland are examples of nations with free prenatal care and publicly financed obstetric care of high quality. During the period of study there were macroeconomic shocks affecting both countries. However, only small income- and education-related inequalities in SGA and preterm births during the period were observed.

KW - Cohort Studies

KW - Denmark

KW - Educational Status

KW - Female

KW - Finland

KW - Humans

KW - Income

KW - Infant, Newborn

KW - Infant, Premature

KW - Infant, Small for Gestational Age

KW - Mothers

KW - Registries

KW - Socioeconomic Factors

U2 - 10.1177/1403494809353820

DO - 10.1177/1403494809353820

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19906773

SN - 1403-4948

VL - 38

SP - 40

EP - 45

JO - Acta socio-medica Scandinavica

JF - Acta socio-medica Scandinavica

IS - 1

ER -