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Infant birth weight among women with or at high risk for
HIV infection: The impact of clinical, behavioral, psychosocial, and
demographic factors.
Health Psychology 2000;19(6):515-523.
Ickovics JR, Ethier KA, Koenig LJ, Wilson TE, Walter EB, Fernandez MI.
Abstract
The purpose of these analyses was to provide a prospective examination of the
impact of HIV on birth weight using clinical, behavioral, psychosocial, and
demographic correlates. HIV-positive (n = 319) and HIV-negative (n = 220)
pregnant women matched for HIV risk factors (i.e., drug use and sexual risk
behaviors) were interviewed during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and 6 weeks
postpartum. Medical chart reviews were also conducted for the HIV-seropositive
pregnant women to verify pregnancy-related and birth outcome data. In a logistic
regression analysis, model chi2(9, N = 518) = 124.8, p < .001, controlling
for parity and gestational age, women who were HIV seropositive were 2.6
times more likely to have an infant with low birth weight. In addition, Black
women and those who did not live with their partners were more than 2 times
as likely to have infants with low birth weight, and those who smoked were
3.2 times more likely to have infants with low birth weight. Knowing that
women with HIV, those who are Black, and those not living with a partner
are at highest risk for adverse birth outcomes can help those in prenatal
clinics and HIV specialty clinics to target resources and develop prevention
interventions. This is particularly important for women with HIV because
birth weight is associated with risk of HIV transmission from mother to child.