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. 2023 Oct 23:44:1606085.
doi: 10.3389/phrs.2023.1606085. eCollection 2023.

Maternal Occupational Risk Factors and Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Haimanot Abebe Adane  1 , Ross Iles  1 , Jacqueline A Boyle  1   2 , Asmare Gelaw  1 , Alex Collie  1
Affiliations

Maternal Occupational Risk Factors and Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Haimanot Abebe Adane et al. Public Health Rev. .

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the evidence on the relationship between physical occupational risks (high physical workload, long working hours, shift work, whole-body vibrations, prolonged standing, and heavy lifting) and preterm birth. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted across six databases to investigate the relationship between physical occupational risks and preterm birth. Result: A comprehensive analysis of 37 studies with varying sample sizes found moderate evidence of positive associations between high physical workload, long working hours, shift work, whole-body vibration, and preterm birth. Meta-analysis showed a 44% higher risk (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.25-1.66) for preterm birth with long working hours and a 63% higher risk (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.03-2.58) with shift work. Conclusion: Pregnant women in physically demanding jobs, those working long hours or on shifts, and those exposed to whole-body vibration have an increased risk of preterm birth. Employers should establish supportive workplaces, policymakers implement protective measures, healthcare providers conduct screenings, and pregnant women must stay informed and mitigate these job-related risks. Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], Identifier [CRD42022357045].

Keywords: meta-analysis; occupational risks; pregnancy; preterm birth; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they do not have any conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA flow diagram of searching, screening, and sorting (Australia, 2023).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Forest plot for preterm birth and working >40 h per week during pregnancy (Australia, 2023).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Forest plot for preterm birth and shift work during pregnancy (Australia, 2023).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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