Evaluation of obstetric outcomes for women in commuter versus noncommuter marriages: A comparative study

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to determine obstetric outcomes for women in commuter marriages (CoMs) compared to women in non-CoMs, as well as the influence of living-in-companions on the obstetric outcomes. Methods: A prospective, multicentre, comparative study was conducted among antenatal clinic attendees in CoMs (160 women) and non-CoMs (160 women). Following consent, participants were recruited and monitored from antenatal booking until six weeks postpartum. The primary outcome measure was the obstetric outcomes (miscarriages, antenatal illness-associated hospital admissions, gestational ages at delivery, pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, and birth weights), while the secondary outcome measure was the influence of living-in-companions on the obstetric outcomes, which was measured by comparing the outcomes in women with those without living-in-companions. Data analysis was conducted using chi-square and t-tests, as applicable; a p < 0.05 was significant. Results: The commuting partners were males in the majority (n ¼ 151; 94.4%), due to work-transfer (n ¼ 76; 47.5%) or new employment (n ¼ 60; 37.5%). There was a statistically significant association betweenCoMand delay before index pregnancy (n ¼ 27 vs. 15; p ¼ 0.047), higher mean gestational age at booking (22.2 7.70 years vs. 19.9 6.93 years; p ¼ 0.005), higher antenatal illnessassociated hospital admission (n ¼ 39 vs. 19; p ¼ 0.004), preterm delivery (33.8% vs. 6.9%; p¼0.001), and low birth weight (16.3% vs. 5.0%; p ¼ 0.001). The mean gestational age at delivery (35.1 2.53 years vs. 38.0 2.38 years, p ¼ 0.001) and birth weight (2445 749 vs. 3146 1646 g, p ¼ 0.043) were lower and statistically significant among women in CoMs without than among those with living-incompanions. Conclusion: CoM was associated with adverse obstetric outcomes; however, living-in-companions appeared to ameliorate these adverse outcomes.