HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Powell-Griner, E Articles by Streck, D Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Powell-Griner, E Articles by Streck, D

A closer examination of neonatal mortality rates among the Texas Spanish surname population.

E Powell-Griner and D Streck

Considering the poor socioeconomic status of the Spanish surnamed population in Texas, the Spanish surname neonatal mortality rate seems surprisingly low. During five of the last 10 years, the neonatal mortality rate for Texas Spanish surnamed population was actually lower than for Anglos. It is often suggested that the low Spanish surname neonatal mortality rate is due in part to reporting problems peculiar to the Spanish surname population in Texas. Linked birth and neonatal death records of Texas residents are examined for evidence of underreporting or misreporting of Spanish surnamed neonatal deaths. It is found that discrepancies in coding race on the birth and death records cause a minor deflation of Spanish surname neonatal and infant mortality rates. Indirect evidence indicates that there may be a substantial amount of underreporting of Spanish surname neonatal deaths. This underreporting appears to be associated with the presence of a large number of Mexican nationals misidentified as Texas residents, and the greater reliance upon lay midwives by the Spanish surname population in Texas. Reasons proposed to explain a reluctance to report neonatal deaths include fear of contact with authorities, and fear that a reported death would diminish the value of the birth certificate.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. S. McGlade, S. Saha, and M. E. Dahlstrom The Latina Paradox: An Opportunity for Restructuring Prenatal Care Delivery Am J Public Health, December 1, 2004; 94(12): 2062 - 2065. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. S. Sherraden and R. E. Barrera Qualitative Research with an Understudied Population: In-Depth Interviews with Women of Mexican Descent Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, November 1, 1995; 17(4): 452 - 470. [Abstract]