AUTHOR=Erhardt Rahel M. , Jafflin Kristen , Zepro Nejimu , Abongomera Charles , Chernet Afona , Paris Daniel Henry , Merten Sonja 

TITLE=Obstetric Outcomes of Eritrean Immigrants in Switzerland: A Comparative Study

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=69

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2024.1606745

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2024.1606745

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold> This study aims to compare obstetric outcomes between Eritrean and Swiss women in Switzerland, focusing on instrumental or surgical interventions and analgesia use.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> The study included data from 45,412 Swiss and 1,132 Eritrean women who gave birth in Swiss hospitals (2019–2022). Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to assess the effect of nationality on mode of delivery and analgesia use and multinomial mixed-effects logistic regression to assess the effect of nationality on mode of delivery in women intended for spontaneous vaginal delivery.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Compared with Swiss, Eritrean women had a lower rate of primary C-section (Adj. OR 0.73, 95% CI [0.60, 0.89]) but a higher risk of initially planned vaginal deliveries ending in emergency C-section (RRR 1.31, 95% CI [1.05, 1.63]). Eritrean women were less likely to receive epidural analgesia (Adj. OR 0.53, 95% CI [0.45, 0.62]) and more likely to not receive any analgesia (Adj. OR 1.73, 95% CI [1.52, 1.96]).</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> This study reveals disparities in obstetric care, notably in higher emergency C-section rates and lower analgesia use among Eritrean women. For promoting equitable healthcare practices deeper understanding of obstetrics decision-making is needed.</p>