Social class and census-based deprivation scores: which is the best predictor of stillbirth rates?

This study investigates whether social class or a census-based deprivation scare is a better predictor of stillbirth rates using data for 1993-5 for r esidents of South Thames (West) Region. Social class is routinely coded for 10% of Live births and 100% of stillbirths. A Townsend deprivation score w as assigned to each stillbirth and each Live birth with a social class code , according to their electoral ward of residence. In unifactorial analyses of stillbirth rate the relationship was stronger with social class (P = 0.0 08) than with Townsend score (P = 0.11). Both relationships were strengthen ed by including those births recorded as social class 'other' ['other' vs. social class I odds ratio (OR) = 2.27, P < 0.001; lower vs. upper septile d eprivation score OR = 1.45, P = 0.07)]. When social class and Townsend scor e were analysed together, the ORs for social class remained similar to befo re, but the Townsend ORs were reduced and non-significant overall. We concl ude that social class, which is based on data on each individual, is a bett er predictor of stillbirth than Townsend score, which is based on data from the area of residence. We recommend further investigation of the stillbirt h risk in the subgroups that make up the 'other' social class.