org355: Maternal health for Black women

1. "In the UK, Black women are five times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than white women."

How did the investigators calculate this number? What is the epi label you would use for this number?

2. "Black women are more likely to have conditions that can put them at greater risk, including cardiac disease, diabetes and high blood pressure,"

What epidemiologic concept is implied here? Explain why the investigators decided to consider these measures.

3. "...when Black and Asian women do not have pre-existing medical conditions, have English as their first language and come from middle-class backgrounds, they still have worse outcomes compared with white women from a similar background.."

Why did the investigators do this comparison, as opposed to a comparison with the wider population of Black, Asian and white women?

Re: Maternal health for Black women

by | Oluwagbemileke Bolajoko - Friday, 23 October 2020, 12:07 PM

1. This number would have been calculated by dividing the incidence risk of maternal deaths in Black women by the incidence risk of maternal deaths in White women. A measure that we would term the incidence risk ratio.

2. This would be adjusting for confounders that could otherwise explain the higher risk of death observable in Black women compared with White women. It is important to consider these measures to prevent falsely attributing the observed difference (in death rates) to racial inequalities and consequently deploying the wrong intervention policies and measures.

3. Comparing minority groups with White women using the same measures and standards, gives a clear indication of what factors influence or do not influence outcomes. If all observed groups have the same levels of health, language and socioeconomic standing then observed differences in outcomes are better attributable to their specific differences (in this case, race)

Thanks. I will appreciate feedback!

Re: Maternal health for Black women

by | Afua Agyei - Wednesday, 18 November 2020, 10:39 AM

1. they divided the proportion of black women who died in pregnancy or childbirth in the population of pregnant women by the proportion of white women who died in the population of pregnant women over a period of time. This is a risk ratio. That is incidence risk of death of black women divided by incidence risk of death of white women.

2. The concept of confounding is introduced as it points to the fact that though there may be a strong association with race and maternal mortality, this association may not be that of a causal association since there are other factors that are associated with both the exposure and the outcome .
What epidemiologic concept is implied here? Explain why the investigators decided to consider these measures.

3. They did this comparison as a result of the research question which is aimed at outlining health inequalities among certain groups of pregnant . The motive of the comparison was to give the various groups the same characteristics apart from their race so as to tease out whether or not there was an association with race and the poor maternal outcomes. A comparison with the general population however, would not have defined this inequity well.

Sorry for the late inputs, just getting around to the tasks. would appreciate feedback however. Thanks