Maternal employment and maternity care in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective To examine the effects of women employment on maternity care and pregnancy outcome in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia.

Study design Two groups of highly educated employed (144 teachers and health care workers) and 162 non-employed mothers, all of Saudi nationality, were compared. Data were collected from family files kept at primary health care centres as well as by direct interview with mothers, two months after delivery.

Results Working mothers initiated care late in pregnancy and subsequently attended fewer visits. They had more caesarean sections, preterm deliveries and low birth weight infants in the index pregnancy. These adverse effects were more prominent with unfavourable working conditions.

Conclusion Maternal employment, especially with unfavourable working conditions, is associated with inadequate antenatal care and poorer pregnancy outcome, compared to housewives of the same high educational level. Maternity care providers need training in occupational medicine to promote the health of working mothers.

Keywords:

• Maternal employment
• Antenatal care
• Pregnancy outcome
• Saudi Arabia