Comparison of Pregnancy Complications Between Employed and Unemployed Women

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Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the differences of socio-demographic characteristics, general health conditions, the story of previous pregnancies, and outcome of pregnancy between employed and unemployed women during their pregnancy. Material and Methods: A total of 151 women (94 employed and 57 unemployed) in Afyonkarahisar were interviewed about their way of life and occupational activities during pregnancy. The questionnaire consisted of 72 questions, asking in detail about personal data, family activities, occupational information, and modifications of activity during pregnancy. Results: The mean age of the employed women participated in this study was 28.8±3.2 while it was 29.2±3.9 for unemployed women. 71% of employed women has a bachelor or graduate degree, and it was found that 52.6% of unemployed women graduated from primary school. As a contraceptive method, 42.1 of unemployed women used withdrawal method and 39.4 of employed women preferred RIA. The rate of induced abortion for employed women was 4.3% and it was 22.8% for unemployed women. The mean birth weight for employed women with 3135±257 g was higher than those for employed women (3025±311 g). Conclusion: It was found that employment was associated with a more favorable social status: employed women had a higher educational level, they had less children and their husband were mode often skilled than unskilled workers. Unemployed women have more pregnancy complications compared to employed women and this is associated with women’s educations level, smoking prevalence, number of pregnancy and the time between two pregnancies.

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Working life , pregnancy , pregnancy compli , cations

Kocatepe Medical Journal

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Kocatepe Medical Journal