Peer-reviewed article
Demographic and clinical associations with miscarriage and unsuccessful conception attempts among female Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Honein-AbouHaidar G, Naal H, Dakdouki AE, Chamseddine Z, Sarieddine D et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This peer-reviewed study examines risk factors for miscarriage and unsuccessful conception among Syrian refugee women in Lebanon. Using cross-sectional baseline data from 485 women at two primary healthcare centers, the researchers identified that older male partners and lack of pregnancy desire increased miscarriage risk, while frequent antenatal care was protective. The study found that older male partner age and higher maternal age at first pregnancy were associated with unsuccessful conception attempts.
Key points
- Higher male partner age and lack of pregnancy desire were significant risk factors for miscarriage
- Frequent antenatal care visits were protective against miscarriage
- Unsuccessful conception was associated with higher male partner age and higher maternal age at first pregnancy
- Miscarriage was not associated with women's age or education level
- Healthcare barriers such as financial and transportation issues were not significantly associated with unsuccessful conception attempts
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional baseline study without follow-up data, so causal relationships cannot be established. The study examines associations only and cannot determine whether identified factors directly cause the reported outcomes.
Abstract
Background Female Syrian refugees in Lebanon face poor sexual reproductive health outcomes. However, associated risk and protective factors are not clearly understood. This study focuses on examining sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with miscarriage and unsuccessful conception among this population. Methods This cross-sectional study is part of the Self-Efficacy and Knowledge Trial, which aims to enhance SRH and family planning among Female Syrian refugees in humanitarian settings. This baseline data (n = 485) was collected from 2 primary healthcare centers in the Bekaa in Lebanon using the PAPFAM tool during November and December 2023. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, ANOVA, independent t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression to identify associations between sociodemographic and clinical factors and SRH outcomes. Results Miscarriage and unsuccessful conception attempts were relatively high in our sample. Higher male partnered refugee age and lack of pregnancy desire were significant risk factors for miscarriage (OR:1.058; CI: 1.008- 1.110 and OR:5.190; CI: 1.031 - 26.112 respectively), while frequent antenatal care visits were protective (OR:0.923; CI: 0.855 - 0.997). Miscarriage was not associated with women's age, and education. Unsuccessful conception attempts were significantly associated with higher male partnered refugee age (OR: 1.086; CI: 1.031 - 1.144), higher maternal age at first pregnancy (OR: 1.345; CI: 1.063 - 1.725), and lower number of alive children (OR: 0.436; CI: 0.313 - 0.607). No significant associations were found between unsuccessful conception attempts and screening, education, employment, and financial/transportation barriers to seeking healthcare services. Conclusion Findings highlight the need for community-based interventions to address modifiable risk factors for miscarriage and unsuccessful conception among female Syrian refugees as described in detailed in the manuscript. This may include strengthening access to antenatal care, promoting family planning and optimal communication strategies, and addressing social and environmental determinants to mitigate related risk factors. Additionally, efforts should focus on improving SRH literacy and facilitating professional healthcare consultations and screenings.