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Association of Mercury Exposure and Maternal Sociodemographics on Birth Outcomes of Indigenous and Tribal Women in Suriname

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  • Gaitree K. Baldewsingh

    (Medical Mission Primary Health Care Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname
    Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname)

  • Ashna D. Hindori-Mohangoo

    (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
    Foundation for Perinatal Interventions and Research in Suriname (Perisur), Paramaribo, Suriname)

  • Edward D. van Eer

    (Medical Mission Primary Health Care Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname)

  • Hannah H. Covert

    (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Arti Shankar

    (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Jeffrey K. Wickliffe

    (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
    Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA)

  • Lizheng Shi

    (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Maureen Y. Lichtveld

    (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
    Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA)

  • Wilco C. W. R. Zijlmans

    (Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname
    Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
    Foundation for Perinatal Interventions and Research in Suriname (Perisur), Paramaribo, Suriname)

Abstract

Information regarding adverse birth outcomes (ABO) of Indigenous and Tribal women living in the remote tropical rainforest of Suriname, where mercury (Hg) use is abundant in artisanal gold mining, is not available. In the context of a health system analysis, we examined the association between Hg exposure, maternal sociodemographics on the ABO of Indigenous and Tribal women living in Suriname’s interior and its capital, Paramaribo. ABO were determined in pregnant women enrolled from December 2016 to July 2019 in the Caribbean Consortium for Environmental and Occupational Health prospective environmental epidemiologic cohort study. Associations were explored using Pearson’s χ 2 -test and the Mann–Whitney U-test. Among 351 singleton participants, 32% were Indigenous, residing mainly in the interior (86.8%), and 23.1% had ABO. Indigenous participants had higher rates of ABO (29.8% vs. 19.8%) and preterm birth (PTB) (21.2% vs. 12.4%), higher Hg levels, delivered at a younger age, were less educated, and had lower household income compared to Tribal participants. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that Indigenous participants had higher odds of ABO (OR = 3.60; 95% CI 1.70–7.63) and PTB (OR = 3.43; 95% CI 1.48–7.96) compared with Tribal participants, independent of Hg exposure and age at delivery. These results highlight the importance of effective risk reduction measures in support of Indigenous mothers, families, and communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Gaitree K. Baldewsingh & Ashna D. Hindori-Mohangoo & Edward D. van Eer & Hannah H. Covert & Arti Shankar & Jeffrey K. Wickliffe & Lizheng Shi & Maureen Y. Lichtveld & Wilco C. W. R. Zijlmans, 2021. "Association of Mercury Exposure and Maternal Sociodemographics on Birth Outcomes of Indigenous and Tribal Women in Suriname," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6370-:d:573832
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    as
    1. Gaitree K. Baldewsingh & Jeffrey K. Wickliffe & Edward D. van Eer & Arti Shankar & Ashna D. Hindori-Mohangoo & Emily W. Harville & Hannah H. Covert & Lizheng Shi & Maureen Y. Lichtveld & Wilco C.W.R. , 2020. "Prenatal Mercury Exposure in Pregnant Women from Suriname’s Interior and Its Effects on Birth Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-12, June.
    2. Fei Li & Ting Wu & Xiaoping Lei & Hao Zhang & Meng Mao & Jun Zhang, 2013. "The Apgar Score and Infant Mortality," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(7), pages 1-8, July.
    3. Paul E. Ouboter & Gwendolyn Landburg & Gaitrie U. Satnarain & Sheryl Y. Starke & Indra Nanden & Bridget Simon-Friedt & William B. Hawkins & Robert Taylor & Maureen Y. Lichtveld & Emily Harville & Jeff, 2018. "Mercury Levels in Women and Children from Interior Villages in Suriname, South America," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, May.
    4. Anisma R. Gokoel & Wilco C. W. R. Zijlmans & Hannah H. Covert & Firoz Abdoel Wahid & Arti Shankar & M. Sigrid MacDonald-Ottevanger & Ashna D. Hindori-Mohangoo & Jeffrey K. Wickliffe & Maureen Y. Licht, 2020. "Influence of Prenatal Exposure to Mercury, Perceived Stress, and Depression on Birth Outcomes in Suriname: Results from the MeKiTamara Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-14, June.
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