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International Journal of Public Health

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01-10-2011 | Original Article

Trends in maternal mortality in Switzerland among Swiss and foreign nationals, 1969–2006

Authors: Paola Bollini, Philippe Wanner, Sandro Pampallona

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 5/2011

Abstract

Objectives

To test whether maternal mortality was higher among immigrant women than Swiss women.

Methods

All maternal deaths and live births in Switzerland from 1969 to 2006 from official vital statistics were considered. We calculated maternal mortality ratios (MMRs) in four time intervals (1969–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2006) for both Swiss and immigrant women overall, and for Italian, Spanish and Turkish women. We also computed the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of maternal mortality over the four time periods, considering maternal deaths as cases, and live births as controls.

Results

From 1969 to 2006 there were 279 maternal deaths, 204 of Swiss women and 75 of immigrant women. Women’s age, marital status and cause of death were similar in the two groups. For immigrant women, the crude odds ratio of a pregnancy ending with maternal death, not homogeneous across the four periods, was 4.38 (95% CI 1.88–10.55) in 2000–2006.

Conclusions

Immigrant women have a higher risk of maternal mortality than Swiss women. A closer scrutiny of risk factors and quality of care is necessary to identify opportunities for prevention.

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Title: Trends in maternal mortality in Switzerland among Swiss and foreign nationals, 1969–2006
Authors: Paola Bollini
Philippe Wanner
Sandro Pampallona
Publication date: 01-10-2011
Publisher: SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-010-0213-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Trends in maternal mortality in Switzerland among Swiss and foreign nationals, 1969–2006

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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