Effects of Environmental Crude Oil Pollution on Newborn Birth Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background The World Health Organization encourages countries to improve birth outcomes to reduce rates of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Purpose This study was designed to examine the effect of environmental crude oil pollution on newborn birth outcomes in Rivers State, Nigeria. Methods A retrospective cohort design was used to examine the effects of exposure to oil pollution on birth outcomes using facility-based records. K-Dere (an oil-polluted community) served as the exposure group, whereas birth records from Iriebe served as the comparison group. A sample size of 338 systematically selected birth records was examined (169 records for each arm of the study). A data extraction sheet was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p < .05. Results The risk of preterm birth was significantly higher in the exposed group (16% vs. 7.7%, relative risk = 2.08, 95% CI [1.11, 3.89], p = .018). At 6 weeks after birth, newborns in the exposed group weighed significantly less (4.64 ± 0.82 vs. 4.85 ± 0.92 kg, p = .032) and reported significantly higher incidence of morbidity compared with the newborns in the comparison group (relative risk = 3.03, 95% CI [2.20, 4.19], p < .001). Conclusions The oil-polluted area examined in this study was found to have a higher risk of preterm birth, a slower rate of newborn growth, and a higher rate of newborn morbidity than the non-oil-polluted area at 6 weeks after birth. Stakeholders should sustain efforts to remediate the environment in polluted regions and prevent oil pollution. Future research should investigate the mechanisms of the observed toxicological effects and the targeted protection of vulnerable groups in oil-polluted communities.

Link between Oil Pollution and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

“…The sample size was calculated using the formula for comparative study [27]. A retrospective cohort study done in facilities located in an oil polluted area and non-oil polluted area in Rivers State found the proportion of preterm birth and adverse pregnancy outcome to be 16% , and 7.7% respectively [28]. The sample size was then calculated using these proportions: However this was approximated to 450 persons/households per community Hence, a minimum of 450 adults members of a household from crude oil polluted community and 450 adults members of a household from non-crude oil polluted community was selected in the study, making a total of 900 participants.…”

Factors associated with infant mortality in Nigeria: A scoping review

“…Crude oil pollution and CO 2 emissions. In the review, three studies demonstrated the association between environmental pollution and IMR such that mothers who resided in areas exposed to crude oil spills and CO 2 emissions were found to be at a higher risk of experiencing preterm birth and NMR [54,67,69]. A study conducted in Ecuador reported that women who lived in communities exposed to oil pollutants faced a heightened risk of spontaneous abortion [121].…”

Primary maternal healthcare service utilization among pregnant women in the oil producing Nchia-Eleme community in Nigeria

“…17 Therefore, their utilization of primary maternal healthcare such as ANC and birth services becomes vital for the early detection and treatment of complications. 18 The objective of this study was to examine the primary maternal healthcare service utilization among pregnant women in the oil-producing Nchia-Eleme community in Nigeria.…”