Comparison of perinatal health prior to and after the northern cod fishery closure in selected Newfoundland communities

Abstract

This study was descriptive, retrospective, and comparative in nature and was an adjunct to the health section of an interdisciplinary study funded by the Tri-Council Eco- Research Program. The study focused on the possible impact on perinatal health of the northern cod fishery closure that occurred in select areas of Atlantic Canada in July 1992. The purpose of this study was to compare the perinatal health of women and their infants in communities in the Bonavista headland area of Newfoundland during the period 1990-1992 inclusive (pre-fishery closure, n = 396) and 1993-1995 inclusive (post-fishery closure, n = 345) to determine if there was any difference in indicators of perinatal health. Data were used from the Live Birth Notification Forms for the Bonavista headland communities obtained from the Department of Health, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. One of the primary objectives of this research was to identify if there was an increase in the number of low birthweight infants (under 2,500 g). The data set contained all the births in the area for the selected periods and, therefore, analysis was based on a population. Descriptive statistics were employed and results showed some differences between the two groups. Specifically, the post fishery closure group had a higher percentage of mothers beginning prenatal care earlier and experiencing pregnancy complications. Furthermore, the mean birthweight was 88.6 g lower for this group and there was a higher percentage of infants born under 2,500 g and below 37 weeks gestation. Although no causal conclusions may be made overall, these results indicate that positive and negative differences have occurred in perinatal health since the close of the fishery. These results hold important implications for nursing on a population health level.