Socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics of advanced maternal age in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to better understand advanced maternal age (AMA) and its impact on maternal and perinatal health by investigating the prevalence, sociodemographic profiles and adverse pregnancy outcomes of AMA in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is a part of a large multicenter cross-sectional study. The project aimed to improve maternal and early child health in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It was conducted at seven healthcare centers located in the urban, suburban and rural areas of Abu Dhabi. The project’s data included all mothers (i.e. Emirati and non-Emirati mothers) who came to the centers looking for healthcare follow-up.
Findings
From the total of 1,710 enrolled mothers with complete data, 379 were with AMA, having a prevalence of 22.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 20.2, 24.2). Among 379 advanced maternal age (AMA) mothers, 328(84.5%), and 51(15.5) mothers were between 35 and 39 years, and =40 years, respectively. The mean (SD) of maternal age was 30.0(5.2) years. No significant association was found between AMA, and parent’s education, family income, child gender, preterm birth and low birth weight. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors significantly associated with AMA were higher parity (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] = 2.24, 95%CI = 2.00, 2.50), p-value < 0.001, non-Arab mothers (AOR = 2.44, 95%CI = 1.83, 3.24), p-value < 0.001, maternal employment (AOR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.05, 1.77), p-value = 0.019, and cesarean delivery (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.83, 3.24), p-value = 0.011, pre-pregnancy maternal overweight (AOR = 1.49, 95%CI = 1.12, 1.98), p-value = 0,006, and pre-pregnancy maternal obesity (AOR = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.35, 3.44), p-value = 0.001.
Research limitations/implications
First, unlike other studies, not all obstetrical outcomes (e.g. maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity) were included as the current study data were part of a large project, and such limitations are expected; second, only quantitative method was used in the present study, it is clear from the literature AMA is a dilemma. Therefore, a qualitative study and mixed methods (both quantitative and qualitative) will provide a better explanation for such an understudied topic. Therefore, further research is recommended to overcome the abovementioned limitations aiming to explore the complexity of AMA, including studying its social determinants. Furthermore, it is worth emphasizing that future research involves more concerned parties, including health, culture and planning authorities, to better understand AMA issues.
Originality/value
The study provided valuable information regarding AMA issues in the UAE. Such information is of paramount importance to all involved parties, including policymakers, to take action regarding improving the health of mothers with advanced ages. Specific actions can be taken through thorough counseling of all expectant mothers with advanced ages before pregnancy, throughout pregnancy and delivery and beyond, by dealing with existing medical conditions and highlighting possible risks of AMA on pregnancy outcomes and how to overcome them in advance. In addition, further research is recommended to explore the social determinants of AMA.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all mothers and children who participated in the study. Furthermore, our thanks are extended to the research assistants for their efforts.
Funding: The study was funded from the Research Office at Zayed University (R17042).
Authors’ contributions: Z.T. contributed to the design of the study and trained the research assistants, and supervised the data collection. A.A.H. contributed to the data analysis. All authors (Z.T., A.A.H., F.E., A.I.A. and D.P.) contributed to the preparation of the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Ethics approval and consent to participate: The Research Ethics Committee approved the project of this data at Zayed University as well as Abu Dhabi Health Services Company. Informed consent was taken from all participants. All measures were followed throughout the study to ensure privacy and confidentiality, such as excluding personal identifiers during data collection.
Declarations: All authors declared no conflict of interest.
Availability of data and materials: The data supporting the current study’s findings will be available from the corresponding author upon rational request.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
Citation
Taha, Z., El Ktaibi, F., Papandreou, D., Al Dhaheri, A.I. and Hassan, A.A. (2024), "Socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics of advanced maternal age in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-01-2024-0032
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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