DOES ETHNICITY INFLUENCE OBSTETRIC INTERVENTION

Aims. To examine whether the high proportion of Polynesian women givin g birth at Middlemore Hospital contributes to its low interventional d elivery rate. Methods. A study of a one-year cohort of women deliverin g at Middlemore Hospital. Delivery suite records were scrutinised to d etermine ethnicity and mode of delivery. Statistical comparisons were made. Results. In Maori, Pacific Island and European women the caesare an section rates were 6.58, 9.5% and 11.5% respectively. Maori women h ave a significantly lower rate of caesarean section than Pacific Islan d women and both groups have a significantly lower rate than European women. The spontaneous vaginal delivery rates in Maori, Pacific Island and European women were 89.0%, 87.4% and 74.8% respectively. Conclusi on, The high proportion New Zealand Maori and Pacific Island women con tributes to, but does not fully explain, the low interventional delive ry rate at Middlemore Hospital.