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Maternal and infant demographics and health status: a comparison of Black, Caucasian, and Hispanic families

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Judith H. Langlois ,
Jean M. Ritter  and
Rita J. Casey
Judith H. Langlois
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin, USA
Jean M. Ritter
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin, USA
Rita J. Casey
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin, USA
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Summary

The relationships among ethnicity, demographics, smoking and drinking habits, and maternal and infant health were examined in a sample of 171 low-income and low-risk Black, Caucasian, and Hispanic families. Few ethnic differences in the health status of the mothers and their infants emerged when ethnic differences were directly examined; however, a latent variable analysis indicated that ethnicity was related to smoking and drinking habits such that Caucasian mothers were more likely to smoke and drink. Smoking and drinking, in turn, led to smaller infant size at birth. Demographic differences found in level of income, education, and family composition suggest that low-income families are not necessarily homogeneous.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , January 1991 , pp. 91 - 105
Copyright
Copyright © 1991, Cambridge University Press

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