The purpose of this study was to describe the obstetric hospitalization rates of northern and registered Indian women from April 1, 1992 to March 30, 1993 and to compare them with those of southern rural women in Saskatchewan.<p> Saskatchewan Health provided hospital separation data for 100% of northern and registered Indian women and for a 10% sample of southern rural and southern urban women hospitalized with obstetric diagnoses and procedures in 1992/93.<p> The crude, age-specific, and age-standardized hospitalization rates were based on the number of women of reproductive age or the number of deliveries or pregnancies. The average length of stay and hospital location were examined. Crude and age-adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and chi-square tests were used to compare rates with southern rural women as the reference group. Oneway analysis of variance was used to compare the average length of stay for obstetric episodes among study groups.<p> The rate of obstetric episodes per 100 pregnancies were only 5 to 18% higher for northern women and southern registered Indian women. Northern and registered Indian women had higher rates for deliveries per 1,000 women, for ectopic pregnancies per 1,000 pregnancies, and for antenatal episodes with diabetes or abnormal glucose or with urinary tract infections per 100 pregnancies and lower rates of deliveries with cesarean sections, instrument use and episiotomy. Northern women had higher rates for deliveries with fetal and placental problems and for vaginal birth after cesarean section per 100 deliveries, and lower rates of antenatal episodes with hyperemesis per 100 pregnancies. All registered Indian women had lower rates of labour and delivery complications per 100 pregnancies. The average length of stay for obstetric episodes was similar for all study groups. Over 35% of northern women delivered in northern hospitals.<p> The results support continued northern obstetric practice and provide a baseline for evaluation of health transfer and renewal for northern tribal councils and health districts. The high fertility rates among northern and registered Indian women warrant a high priority on obstetric services, hospital facilities, prenatal care and postnatal care that are age and culture sensitive.<p>

The purpose of this study was to describe the obstetric hospitalization rates of northern and registered Indian women from April 1, 1992 to March 30, 1993 and to compare them with those of southern rural women in Saskatchewan.<p> Saskatchewan Health provided hospital separation data for 100% of northern and registered Indian women and for a 10% sample of southern rural and southern urban women hospitalized with obstetric diagnoses and procedures in 1992/93.<p> The crude, age-specific, and age-standardized hospitalization rates were based on the number of women of reproductive age or the number of deliveries or pregnancies. The average length of stay and hospital location were examined. Crude and age-adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and chi-square tests were used to compare rates with southern rural women as the reference group. Oneway analysis of variance was used to compare the average length of stay for obstetric episodes among study groups.<p> The rate of obstetric episodes per 100 pregnancies were only 5 to 18% higher for northern women and southern registered Indian women. Northern and registered Indian women had higher rates for deliveries per 1,000 women, for ectopic pregnancies per 1,000 pregnancies, and for antenatal episodes with diabetes or abnormal glucose or with urinary tract infections per 100 pregnancies and lower rates of deliveries with cesarean sections, instrument use and episiotomy. Northern women had higher rates for deliveries with fetal and placental problems and for vaginal birth after cesarean section per 100 deliveries, and lower rates of antenatal episodes with hyperemesis per 100 pregnancies. All registered Indian women had lower rates of labour and delivery complications per 100 pregnancies. The average length of stay for obstetric episodes was similar for all study groups. Over 35% of northern women delivered in northern hospitals.<p> The results support continued northern obstetric practice and provide a baseline for evaluation of health transfer and renewal for northern tribal councils and health districts. The high fertility rates among northern and registered Indian women warrant a high priority on obstetric services, hospital facilities, prenatal care and postnatal care that are age and culture sensitive.<p>