S, E., A, E., O, E., N, K., N, F. (2025). INCIDENCE OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND/OR PRETERM DELIVERIES AMONG WORKING PREGNANT WOMEN. Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 49(1), 103-116. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2024.331963.1352
El-Hadidy S S; El-Gilany A; Elkhawaga G O; Kamal N N; Fathi N. "INCIDENCE OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND/OR PRETERM DELIVERIES AMONG WORKING PREGNANT WOMEN". Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 49, 1, 2025, 103-116. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2024.331963.1352
S, E., A, E., O, E., N, K., N, F. (2025). 'INCIDENCE OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND/OR PRETERM DELIVERIES AMONG WORKING PREGNANT WOMEN', Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 49(1), pp. 103-116. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2024.331963.1352
S, E., A, E., O, E., N, K., N, F. INCIDENCE OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND/OR PRETERM DELIVERIES AMONG WORKING PREGNANT WOMEN. Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 2025; 49(1): 103-116. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2024.331963.1352
INCIDENCE OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND/OR PRETERM DELIVERIES AMONG WORKING PREGNANT WOMEN
1Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.
2Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt., Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Misr University for Science and Technology, Egypt.
3Department of Women’s Health and Obstetrics, Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Egypt.
Abstract
Introduction: In Egypt, there is a rise in the percentage of working females. Working during pregnancy can significantly increase the risk of preterm deliveries (PTD) and/ or low birth weight (LBW). Aim of Work: To estimate the incidence of low birth weight and preterm deliveries among working pregnant women and explore their associated factors at Minia University Hospital, Egypt. Materials and Methods: A retrospective single cohort study was done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Minia University Hospital. A total of 515 employed women admitted for delivery were subjected to face-to-face interview questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data, occupational, medical and obstetric history and also job stress Questionnaire was completed. Results: The incidence of mothers who delivered LBW and/or PTD was 39.2% .The significant independent obstetric and medical predictors of preterm deliveries and/ or low birth weight were personal or family history of LBW and/or PTD, normal delivery and pregnant mothers not suffering from any medical condition : {AOR (95% CI): 3.6 (1.9-6.8), 8.1 (4.6-14.2), 3.3 (2.0-5.6) and 3.2 (1.9-5.4), respectively}. The occupational predictors of preterm deliveries and/ or low birth weight were employed women in jobs requiring mental effort, in both (private and governmental sectors) for ≤ 4 years : AOR (95% CI:1.9 (1.1-3.0) , 3.4 (1.6-7.3) and 1.8 (1.2-2.6), respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of preterm deliveries and/ or low birth weight was 39.2%. The significant independent predictors of LBW and/or PTD were personal or family history of LBW and/or PTD , normal delivery, pregnant mothers not suffering from any medical condition and employed women in jobs requiring mental effort, in both (private and governmental)sectors for duration ≤ 4 years. Recommendations: Employed pregnant women should be covered by medical insurance system to receive adequate medical care during pregnancy.