Mother Work and Pregnancy Outcome in the Gaza Strip

Objectives: to identify the effect of work during pregnancy on maternal and infant health in order to improve pregnancy outcome and raising recommendations for policymakers.

Subjects and Methods: this study used data from a prospective cohort study of pregnant women and their deliveries which were conducted to determine the risk factors the pregnant women may be exposed to, and its effect on pregnancy outcome.  Pregnant women have been recruited at their third trimester at six health facilities. 

Findings: working mothers are significantly more liable to trauma, presented with premature rupture of membranes, and gave birth through Cesarean section more than non-working mothers.  In addition, working mothers were physically abused, anemic, gave history of abortion, and suffered hyperemesis gravidarum more than non-working mothers. Infants of non-working mothers have significantly been breast-fed more than those of working mothers. Also, infants of working mothers were more jaundiced, have one or more morbid condition, and of low birth weight than those of non-working mothers.

Conclusion: the effect of maternal work on infant health showed that one or more of neonatal morbidities affect more than half of newborn deliveries, it appears that working mothers gave birth to jaundiced, and less birth weight infants.  Non-working mothers breastfed their infants more than working mothers.

Regarding maternal health and work status, it is revealed that working mothers are significantly more subjected to trauma, PROM, and cesarean section than non-working mothers.  In addition, working mothers are more physically abused, and more anemic.

Key words: pregnancy outcome, working conditions, LBW, Gaza Strip.      

Abbreviations: LBW, low birth weight; PROM, premature rupture of membranes; SGA, small for gestational age; PCBS, Palestinian central bureau of statistics; IMR, Infant Mortality Rate; UNRWA, united nations refuges work agency; MOH, Ministry of Health; EDHS, Egypt demographic and health survey