TY - JOUR PY - 2005// TI - Injury deaths, suicides and homicides associated with pregnancy, Finland 1987-2000 JO - European journal of public health A1 - Gissler, Mika A1 - Berg, C. A1 - Bouvier-Colle, M. H. A1 - Buekens, Pierre SP - 459 EP - 463 VL - 15 IS - 5 N2 - BACKGROUND: Only few studies have been carried out on the relationship between pregnancy and deaths from external causes. METHODS: Information on deaths from external causes among women aged 15-49 years in Finland in 1987-2000 (n = 5299) was linked to three national health registers to identify pregnancy-associated deaths (n = 212). RESULTS: The mortality rate for women during pregnancy and within 1 year of pregnancy termination from external causes was lower than mortality from external causes among non-pregnant women (relative risk 0.79; 95% confidence interval 0.69-0.91). Owing to elevated suicide and homicide rates, however, an increased risk was observed for women after abortions, especially in the age group of 15-24 years. CONCLUSIONS: The low rate of deaths from external causes suggests the protective effect of childbirth, but the elevated risk after a terminated pregnancy needs to be recognized in the provision of health care and social services. LA - SN - 1101-1262 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/cki042 ID - ref1 ER -