Investigation of Reproductive Health Outcomes and Potential Risk Factors in Air Force Women

摘要

Reproductive health outcomes and potential risk factors have not been studied among Active Duty Air Force (ADAF) women. Phase I describes natality and adverse outcome rates among women over a 20-year period (1975-1994) by age, race, rank, occupation, marital status, pay grade, geography, and AF Command. Accurate natality and adverse reproductive outcome rates indicate where improved health care planning is needed and provide a framework within which to interpret consequences of future deployment. Phase II case-control studies evaluate ADAF women from 1990-1998. Causal hypotheses evaluate possible effects of occupational and operational factors on risks of preterm delivery, pregnancy induced hypertension, and spontaneous abortion. The proposed cases (n=1,875) and controls (n=1,875) are ascertained using the Air Force Medical Support Agency (AFMSA) Standard Inpatient Record matched within 2 months of conception and the Air Force Base assignment. Exposure data recorded prior to pregnancy eliminates potential recall bias. This year we: (1) met human subject requirements, (2) revised the CATI, (3) maintained continuity with 82 Air Force Bases, (4) ascertained the cohort, (5) contact information, (6) phone numbers, (7) designed a tracking database, (8) sought new funding to cover the cost of obtaining informed consent, (9) designed tracking procedures, and (10) analysis.