Housing conditions as a social determinant of low birthweight and preterm low birthweight.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between housing conditions and low birthweight and preterm low birthweight among low-income women.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted with post-partum women living in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil, in 2003-2005. Two groups of cases, low birthweight (n=96) and preterm low birthweight infants (n=68), were compared against normal weight term controls (n=393). Housing conditions were categorized into three levels: adequate, inadequate, and highly inadequate. Covariates included sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, risk behaviors, violence, anxiety, satisfaction during pregnancy, obstetric history and prenatal care.

RESULTS

Poor housing conditions was independently associated with low birthweight (inadequate--OR 2.3 [1.1;4.6]; highly inadequate--OR 7.6 [2.1;27.6]) and preterm low birthweight (inadequate--OR 2.2 [1.1;4.3]; highly inadequate--OR 7.6 [2.4;23.9]) and factors associated with outcomes were inadequate prenatal care and previous preterm birth. Low income and low maternal body mass index remained associated with low birthweight.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor housing conditions were associated with low birthweight and preterm low birthweight.