Acculturation and perinatal health outcomes among rural women of Mexican descent

Research has shown that health outcomes for urban women of Mexican descent are related to acculturation. The purpose of this research was to compare p erinatal outcomes of 773 women of Mexican descent who gave birth in three r ural northern California hospitals, in relation to acculturation measured t hree different ways: by place of birth, by language spoken, and by the two factors combined as an Acculturation Index (Al). The prenatal and birth rec ords of 773 Mexico-born or U.S.-born women of Mexican descent were reviewed . Results showed that language spoken was a less useful indicator of accult uration associated with perinatal complications than place of birth or the Al. The categorization of acculturation with the Al enhanced understanding of more specific groups of rural women and their particular health outcomes . (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.