Trends and Disparities in Perinatal Health Outcomes Among Women from Refugee Backgrounds in Victoria, Australia: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to examine the trend and disparities in adverse perinatal outcomes among women from refugee background using population-based data from 2003 to 2017.

METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of 754,270 singleton births in Victoria (2003-2017) compared refugee background mothers with Australian-born mothers. Inferential statistics, including Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression, were conducted. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to explore the relationship between adverse perinatal outcomes and the women’s refugee background. A trend analysis of adverse outcomes over fifteen years was conducted.

RESULTS: Women from refugee backgrounds had higher odds of adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes, including stillbirth, neonatal death, low APGAR score, small for gestational age, postpartum haemorrhage, abnormal labour, perineal tear, and maternal admission to intensive care compared to Australian-born women. However, they had lower odds of neonatal admission to intensive care and maternal perinatal depression. The trend analysis showed limited signs of gaps closing over time in adverse perinatal outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Women from a refugee background were associated with unfavourable perinatal outcomes, highlighting the need to address the unique healthcare requirements of this vulnerable population to enhance the health and well-being of mothers and newborns. Implementing targeted interventions and policies is crucial to meeting the healthcare requirements of women of refugee backgrounds. Collaborative efforts between healthcare organizations, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations are essential in establishing comprehensive support systems to assist refugee women throughout their perinatal journey.