Prevalence of abortion and adverse pregnancy outcomes among working women in Korea: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate incidence and distribution of major adverse reproductive health problems related to various kinds of industries in Korea and to compare risks for major reproductive outcomes to assess maternal health in working and non-working women. MethodsWe requested claim data from the Korean National Health Insurance. We defined reference groups as (1) non-working women and (2) workers in the education field. Women working in each industry were compared with reference groups regarding rates of miscarriage, threatened abortion, preterm labor, and intrauterine growth restriction. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis, and age and income adjustment was performed. ResultsThe percentages of all adverse obstetric outcomes were higher in working women than in non-working women. Working women had higher and statistically significant adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for miscarriage in 18 of the 21 industries. The age and income-adjusted OR for miscarriage for all working women was 1.26 (95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.28). Business facilities management and business support services, manufacturing, human health and social work activities, wholesale and retail trade, and professional, scientific, and technical activities were major industries with higher adjusted ORs for adverse obstetric outcomes. ConclusionsWe confirmed that compared to non-working women, working women have a higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Thus, adverse pregnancy outcomes such as threatened abortion, preterm labor, and intrauterine growth restriction may be associated with working PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone

Occupational Exposures Among Hair and Nail Salon Workers: a Scoping Review

“…We identified four studies [37][38][39][40] on reproductive endpoints among hair or nail salon workers (Table 1). One study examined spontaneous abortion [38] utilizing Korean National Health Insurance records which covered 78% of all Korean births in 2013 and identified women by occupational status in relation to claims data. Employed women in any occupation were at greater risk of spontaneous abortion compared to nonworking women [38], and an increased odds of miscarriage was reported for the group comprising hair and nail salon workers.…”

“…One study examined spontaneous abortion [38] utilizing Korean National Health Insurance records which covered 78% of all Korean births in 2013 and identified women by occupational status in relation to claims data. Employed women in any occupation were at greater risk of spontaneous abortion compared to nonworking women [38], and an increased odds of miscarriage was reported for the group comprising hair and nail salon workers. The two reference groups in the study included unemployed women and those employed in education.…”

“…Evaluation of the endpoint was a study strength, but the authors did not control for any potential confounders. Select records-based studies reviewed were strengthened by the use of two comparison groups [38,39]. These included women who do not work outside the home and those in education [38], as well as a broader range, comprising teachers, realtors, retail, office, and food service workers [39].…”

“…Select records-based studies reviewed were strengthened by the use of two comparison groups [38,39]. These included women who do not work outside the home and those in education [38], as well as a broader range, comprising teachers, realtors, retail, office, and food service workers [39]. The inclusion of food service and retail workers in the comparison group aligns occupations of similar socioeconomic status, which may minimize selection bias.…”

Relationship between threatened miscarriage and gestational diabetes mellitus

“…Threatened miscarriage, which is defined as any vaginal bleeding that occurs during the first half of a pregnancy, occurs in an estimated 14–20% of all pregnant women (14.8% in Korean women) [ 1 , 2 ]. Approximately 50% of women who experienced threatened miscarriage eventually suffer miscarriages [ 3 , 4 ].…”