Relationship of Social Network Size to Infant Birth Weight in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Women

The “Latina paradox” describes the phenomenon of women born in Mexico having their babies in the US deliver fewer low birth weight babies than White US born women. Social support and networks have been suggested as factors in this paradox. Network size was included in Utah’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Survey (PRAMS) for 4 years. Through an analysis of linked Birth Certificate and PRAMS data, the relationship between birth weight and social networks of four groups of women were examined. Perhaps due to Utah’s unique population characteristics and service-oriented culture, the “Latina paradox” was not demonstrated. However, the study did demonstrate that specific social network size options were positively associated with birth weight, and husbands in either culture (White or Hispanic) appear to be the main source of social support. In addition, this study reinforced the importance of carefully planned and executed surveys that are culturally appropriate.