Abstract
Objective To describe the characteristics and risk factors for preterm birth in Hawaiian and
Pacific Islander women.
Study Design Retrospective cohort study of 10,470 women of Hawaiian or Pacific Islander descent
drawn from a population-based birth cohort dataset in California. Variables were examined
across preterm birth subtype (spontaneous, provider initiated) and by gestational
age grouping (early preterm birth and late preterm birth) and all preterm births.
Results Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women were at higher risk for preterm birth when they had
fewer than three prenatal visits; were underweight, reported tobacco, alcohol, or
illicit drugs use in pregnancy; had a diagnosis of anemia, gestational diabetes, preexisting
diabetes, or hypertension with or without pre-eclampsia; or had a history of previous
preterm birth. Obesity was found to be protective for preterm birth.
Conclusion Women of Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent demonstrate a similar yet unique constellation
of risk and protective factors for preterm birth as compared with other groups at
high risk for preterm birth. Interventions aimed to prevent preterm birth need to
support the specific needs of this population.
Keywords
Hawaiian - Pacific Islander - preterm birth - racial
