Sociodemographic profile of primiparous mothers from nine birth cohorts in three Brazilian cities

Abstract

Fertility reduction is a phenomenon observed in demographic transition. The demographic changes noted in female fertility represent a need for adjustment on health services regarding female health and family planning support. Thus, this study aimed to perform a descriptive analysis by tracing the sociodemographic profile of primiparous mothers belonging to nine Brazilian birth cohorts, in three cities from different states. Standardized questionnaires were applied to assess reproductive characteristics and covariables. Primiparous mothers were defined as women whose child included in birth cohorts was their firstborn child. Sample description was performed using analysis of variance (continuous variables) and chi-square (categorical variables). In total, 44,615 women were included in the analyses and 41.8% (95%CI: 41.3; 42.2) were categorized as primiparous. The primiparity rates were the lowest in Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo State) 1978 (32%; 95%CI: 30.9; 33.1) and the highest in most recent cohorts, reaching up to 50% of the participants (São Luís – Maranhão State 2010: 47.2%; 95%CI: 45.8; 48.6; Ribeirão Preto 2010: 50.2%; 95%CI: 49.1; 51.4); Pelotas (Rio Grande do Sul State) 2015: 49.4% (95%CI: 47.9; 50.9). Primiparous mothers’ age and schooling increased over the years in all cohorts. Maternal age at the first childbirth behaved similarly in the three studied cities. There was an increase in the proportion of first-time mothers that were older, higher educated and belonged to richer income groups. Also, the proportion of teenage mothers (aged 15 years or younger) increased until the early 2000’s and started decreasing around the years 2010, especially among women in the poorer income groups.