A comparison of pregnancy outcomes among four population groups in Ethiopia

Abstract

The food emergency of 1984 and 1985 in Ethiopia affected populations over a large area of the country. The effect on pregnancy outcome is described by retrospective analysis of clinic records from two relief camps. Comparison is made with pregnancy outcome observed over the same time period among two urban populations in Ethiopia. Birthweights observed in the relief camps were lower than in the urban populations. Similarly, the proportion of low birthweight infants was higher in the relief camps. The average age of women giving birth in one relief camp was significantly higher than that of women in the urban areas. Differences between the camps and urban areas were also found in the proportions of male and female infants born.