Evaluation of obstetric outcomes for women in commuter versus non-commuter marriages: A comparative study.

Objectives: The study aims to determine obstetric outcomes for women in commuter marriages (CoMs) compared to women in non-CoMs, as well as the influence of living-in-companions on the obstetric outcomes. Methods: A prospective, multicentre, comparative study was conducted among antenatal clinic attendees in CoMs (160 women) and non-CoMs (160 women). Following consent, participants were recruited and monitored from antenatal booking until six weeks postpartum. The primary outcome measure was the obstetric outcomes (miscarriages, antenatal illness-associated hospital admissions, gestational ages at delivery, pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, and birth weights), while the secondary outcome measure was the influence of living-in-companions on the obstetric outcomes, which was measured by comparing the outcomes in women with those without living-in-companions. Data analysis was conducted using chi-square and t-tests, as applicable; a Results: The commuting partners were males in the majority (n = 151; 94.4%), due to work-transfer (n = 76; 47.5%) or new employment (n = 60; 37.5%). There was a statistically significant association between CoM and delay before index pregnancy (n = 27 vs. 15; Conclusion: CoM was associated with adverse obstetric outcomes; however, living-in-companions appeared to ameliorate these adverse outcomes.