The panorama and outcomes of pregnancies within a well-defined population in rural Vietnam 1999-2004.

BACKGROUND Pregnancy outcomes in the general population are important public health indicators. PURPOSE The overall aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of reported pregnancies within a well-defined population, to identify risk groups for adverse pregnancy outcomes, and to suggest preventive measures. METHOD A prospective population-based cohort study of pregnant women in Bavi district, Vietnam between 1 January 1999 and 30 June 2004. RESULTS Pregnancy outcome was reported for 5,259 cases; 4,152 (79%) resulted in a live birth, 67 (1.3%) in a stillbirth, 733 (14%) in an induced abortion, and 282 (5.4%) in a spontaneous abortion. There was an increased risk of home delivery for women from ethnic minorities (OR = 1.85; 95%CI = 1.06-3.24) or with less than 6 years of schooling (OR = 7.36; 95%CI = 3.54-15.30). The risk of stillbirth was increased for ethnic minorities (OR = 6.34; 95%CI = 1.33-30.29) and women delivering at home (OR = 6.81; 95%CI = 2.40-19.30). The risk of induced abortion increased with maternal age. CONCLUSION Our findings emphasize the public health significance of access to adequate family planning, counselling, and maternal health care for all women. Policies should specifically target women from high-risk groups.