Aim: To assess the risk of adverse birth outcomes in broad categories of maternal occupations including farming, office, non-manual and housewives.
Methods: This Cross-sectional study was conducted in between January 2021 to December 2021 in Damanhur National Medical Institute (DNMI) El Behera Governorate, Egypt. Target women were Mothers admitted in DNMI, after giving birth to viable single neonates with or without adverse birth outcomes e.g.,) preterm birth, low birth weight, or congenital anomaly). Data on maternal occupation and occupational exposures included: duration of work and details on occupational exposure to stress factors, physical, chemical and/or biological hazards. Examination of newborn was done: weight (in grams), height (in cm), head circumference (in cm) and examination for any congenital anomalies.
Results: Working mothers had 1.44 times more risk to experience adverse birth outcomes compared to non-working mothers (95% CI= 0.55-3.77). There was a significant association between exposure to chemical risk factors and having adverse birth outcomes (X2 =6.11, P= P=0.03). There was an insignificant association between exposure to hard physical work and having adverse birth outcomes (X2 =1.81, P=0.36) However, standing for long hours during work was significantly associated with adverse birth outcomes (X2=5.69, P=0.04) Mothers who reported exposure to biological hazards had 2.25 times more risk compared to mothers who were not exposed to biological hazards (95% CI= 0.31-16.41).
Conclusions: Working mothers had more risk to experience adverse birth outcomes. Mothers who exposed to physical risk factors or biological hazards at work had more risk to have adverse birth outcomes. Furthermore, occupational exposure to chemical agents was significantly associated with adverse birth outcomes.