Neighborhood conditions are associated with maternal health behaviors and pregnancy outcomes.

ABSTRACT: Women residing in neighborhoods of low socioeconomic status are more likely to experience adverse reproductive outcomes; however, few studies explore which specific neighborhood features are associated with poor maternal health behaviors and pregnancy outcomes. Based upon our conceptual model, directly observed street-level data from four North Carolina US counties were used to create five neighborhood indices: physical incivilities (neighborhood degradation), social spaces (public space for socializing), walkability (walkable neighborhoods), borders (property boundaries), and arterial features (traffic safety). Singleton birth records (2001-2005) were obtained from the North Carolina State Center for Vital Statistics and maternal health behavior information (smoking, inadequate or excessi

SUBMITTER: Vinikoor-Imler LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4951203 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature