Fathers Count: The Impact of Paternal Risk Factors on Birth Outcomes

Objective To determine the contribution of paternal factors to the risk of adverse birth outcomes. Methods This is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis using birth certificate data from 2004 to 2015 retrieved from the Finger Lakes Regional Perinatal Data System. Primiparous women with singleton pregnancies were analyzed in the study. Two multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to assess potential paternal risk factors including age, race/ethnicity, and education on four birth outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), high birthweight (HBW), and small for gestational age (SGA). Results A total of 36,731 singleton births were included in the analysis. Less paternal education was significantly related to an elevated risk of PTB, LBW, and SGA, even after adjustment for maternal demographic, medical, and lifestyle factors (P?<?0.05). Paternal race/ethnicity was also significantly associated with all four birth outcomes (P?<?0.05) while controlling for maternal factors. Older paternal age was associated with increased odds (OR 1.012, 95% CI 1.003–1.022) of LBW. Maternal race/ethnicity partially mediated the association of paternal race/ethnicity with HBW and SGA. Maternal education partially mediated the relationship between paternal education and SGA. Conclusion Paternal factors were important predictors of adverse birth outcomes. Our results support the inclusion of fathers in future studies and clinical programs aimed at reducing adverse birth outcomes.     

Maternal Nativity Status and Birth Outcomes in Asian Immigrants

Background The study examines the relationship between maternal nativity, maternal risks and birth outcomes in six Asian sub-populations. Methods U.S.- versus foreign-born immigrants of Chinese (67,222), Japanese (18,275) and Filipino (87,1208), Vietnamese (45,229), Cambodian/Laotian (21,237), and Korean (23,430) singleton live births were assessed for maternal risks and birth outcomes. Results U.S.-born Chinese and Japanese mothers had lower risk and increased preterm births but similar infant mortality, while U.S.-born Filipino mothers had higher risk and higher infant mortality. U.S.-born mothers of more recent Cambodian/Laotian and Vietnamese immigrants had higher risk and delivered more small and preterm births, while U.S.-born Korean mothers had higher risk but no differences in preterm and low birthweight delivery. Discussion Asians in America are a distinctly heterogenous population in terms of the relationship between maternal risk factors and birth outcomes and the influence of maternal nativity on this relationship.     

Slowing the epidemic of tobacco use among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Data on tobacco use among the Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) population remain limited, although existing studies indicate that tobacco use prevalence among males from specific AAPI groups is significantly higher than in the general US male population. This high prevalence of tobacco use and the disparities in use result from social norms, targeted marketing by the tobacco industry, lack of culturally and linguistically tailored prevention and control programs, and limited impact of mainstream tobacco control programs for AAPIs. We review the available literature on tobacco use among AAPI men and women, highlight a national agenda that promotes tobacco prevention and control for AAPI communities, and acknowledge recent trends including the increase of tobacco use among AAPI women and girls.     

Patterns of natural herb use by Asian and Pacific Islanders

Objective. Previous studies have noted the role of race/ethnicity in use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in particular have been found to use herbs more frequently, although the patterns of use among this population have not been described. The goal of this study was to characterize the rates and patterns of herb use among the API population of the United States.

Design. Data from the 2002 US National Health Interview Survey, including the supplement on CAM, were analyzed using SAS. Cross-tabulation and logistical regression were used to determine the association between herb use and race/ethnicity, while adjusting for demographic factors.

Results. After adjusting for age, gender and educational attainment, we found that APIs were more likely to use herbs than non-Hispanic Whites (OR=1.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.5; p=0.013), with the difference being most prominent in those 60 years old or older (OR=2.9; 95% CI: 1.8, 4.5; p<0.0001). Herb use among APIs was more common among women, those with higher education and income, and those in older age groups. Patterns of use also varied among API subgroups, with Chinese Americans reporting the highest rates of herb use in their lifetimes (44%) and in the previous 12 months (33%).

Conclusion. Considerable diversity exists within API subgroups with regard to the prevalence and demographic and health correlates of natural herb use. Herb use is more common among APIs than non-Hispanic Whites, particularly among the elderly. The disaggregation of APIs by racial/ethnic subgroups may be important for patient–health care professional interactions, and when designing studies of racial/ethnic minority populations.