Maternal morbidity: a longitudinal study of women's health during and up to 22 months after pregnancy in Jamaica.

Our study evaluated factors associated with ill-health in a population-based longitudinal study of women who delivered a singleton live-born baby in a 3-month period across Jamaica. Socio-demographics, perception of health, chronic illnesses, frequency and reasons for hospital admission were assessed. Relationships between ill-health and maternal characteristics were estimated using log-normal regression analysis. Of 9,742 women interviewed at birth, 1,311 were assessed at four stages, 27.7% of whom reported ill-health at least once. Hospitalization rates were 20.9% during pregnancy, 6.1% up to 12 months and 0.5% up to 22 months after childbirth. Ill-health, reported by 11% of women, was less likely with better education (RR=0.62, 95%; 0.42-0.84). Hospital admission was associated with higher socio-economic status (RR=1.33, 95% 1.04-1.70) and Caesarean section [CS] (RR=1.57, 95%; 1.21-2.04). One in three (33.7%) women reported chronic illnesses, and the likelihood increased with age, parity and delivery by elective CS (RR=1.44, 95%; 1.20-1.73). In multivariable analyses, ill-health was more likely with chronic illness (RR=2.06, 95%; CI: 1.71-2.48) and hospital admission from 12 to 22 months after childbirth (RR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.12-2.12). Ill-health during pregnancy and after childbirth represent a significant burden of disease and requires a standardised comprehensive approach to measuring and addressing this disease burden.