Social disparity and intrauterine death:from politics to policies

• Published in: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Main Authors: Tezcan, B., Khazaezadeh, N., Ash, A., Oteng-Ntim, E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Epidemiology; general obstetrics; intrauterine death; social disparity; Terranova
• Online Access: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/social-disparity-and-intrauterine-death(516c3206-d954-43e9-ae82-056146262a38).html; https://doi.org/10.3109/01443615.2011.587910

Correlation between intrauterine demise (IUD) and social disparity, based on maternal post-code of residence, is assessed in this study in order to find out if there is any correlation between IUD and geographical area. A total of 190 IUD cases from September 2002 to August 2004 were collected retrospectively from the IUD register. The maternity computer health record programme (Terranova-Healthware) was used for the assessment of area of residence of the patient and GP, patient demography and pregnancy details. Data were then entered onto a MS Excel spreadsheet and analysed by a public health statistician and a consultant obstetrician using the IMD-Index of Multiple Deprivation and then on to a graph. The results of this study show that there was a strong correlation between the IMD and the distribution of IUDs. Disparities come at a personal, midwifery and obstetric price. Differential access may lead to disparities in quality.