THE EFFECTS OF MATERNAL HEALTH BEHAVIORS AND OTHER RISK-FACTORS ON IMMUNIZATION STATUS AMONG MEXICAN-AMERICAN INFANTS

Objective. Few studies have investigated the effect of maternal health behaviors on the utilization of childhood preventive care. We evaluat ed a sample of 788 Latino mother-infant pairs to determine whether, in addition to other characteristics, maternal health risk behaviors are associated with infant immunization status. Methodology. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Mexican origin mothers of infants 8 to 16 months of age living in San Diego County, CA. In addition to sociodem ographic and health care factors, we assessed maternal behaviors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, safety precautions, and the organi zation of the home environment, and examined their relation to adequat e childhood immunization status. Results. When grouped together in a m aternal health risk index, maternal health behaviors showed a dose-res ponse relationship with inadequate immunization status. After controll ing for confounders, each point increase on the health risk index was associated with a 20% increase in the likelihood of inadequate childho od immunizations. Marital status, parity, life stress, time lived in n eighborhood, Spanish language, and child age were also important predi ctors. Conclusion. Early identification of children at risk for underi mmunization may be aided by focusing on maternal health behaviors in a ddition to other sociodemographic characteristics.