Paid work, domestic work and pregnancy outcome in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria

Introduction
A cross sectional study was carried out in 3 general hospitals and one teaching hospital in Ibadan , southwest Nigeria to identify occupational, socio-demographic and obstetric predictors of low birth weight (LBW), preterm delivery, and stillbirth.

Methods
1504 consenting women who delivered live or stillborn singleton babies at the 4 hospitals between February and June 2008 were interviewed to obtain information on paid and domestic work activities during pregnancy, as well as obstetric history. Pregnancy outcomes and other clinical data were extracted from case notes.

Results
Mothers aged 20-45 years of age, recorded 137 (9.1%) LBW (< 2.5 kg), 154 (10.2%) preterm (<37 weeks gestation), and 56 (3.7%) stillbirths. There was no overall increased risk of these outcomes in working mothers. In multivariate logistic regression models of working mothers who had booked their deliveries, lifting heavy objects at home, clinical record of proteinuria and hospital admission during pregnancy were associated with LBW. Predictors for preterm births were self-reported exposure to vibration at work, nulliparity, history of preterm births, ≤4 vs. >8 antenatal visits and prolonged rupture of membranes. Predictors for stillbirths were low education and prolonged rupture of membranes

Discussion
This study found that exposure to vibration, physical exertion at work and lifting heavy objects at home may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The findings support recommendations to reduce physical exertion in paid and domestic work during pregnancy.