Year of Publication

2021

College

Public Health

Date Available

5-10-2021

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

Committee Chair

Anna Goodman Hoover, PhD

Committee Member

W. Jay Christian, PhD

Committee Member

Corrine Williams, ScM, ScD

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between maternal residency in a county with surface coal production and preterm birth or low birth weight.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using birth records (n=62,766) for 54 Appalachian counties and coal production in tons. Logistic regression and chi-squared analysis was done to analyze the relationship between surface coal mining and preterm birth and low birth weight in two different birth groups.

Results: After controlling for covariates, statistically significant increases were seen in Birth Group 1 and Birth group 2. Birth Group 1 had statistically significant results for preterm birth ((1.19 CI 1.07-1.33) (1.24 CI 1.13-1.37)) and low birth weight ((1.26 CI 1.11-1.43) (1.21 CI 1.08-1.35)) for both “medium-high coal production” and “high coal production”, respectively. Birth Group 2 had statistically significant results for preterm birth (1.14 CI 1.14-1.74) in the “medium-high coal production” and statistically significant results for low birth weight in the “medium-low coal production” (1.19 CI 1.05-1.35) and medium-high coal production” (1.31 CI 1.03-1.68) categories.

Conclusion: There was a statistically significant relationship seen between maternal residency in a county with surface coal production and the incidence of preterm birth and low birth weight in Appalachian Kentucky. This research can be used as a guide for future studies to help determine the relationship between proximity to surface mines and birth outcomes.

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