The association between men working abroad and the health of their pregnant wives and newborns in Tajikistan. A secondary analysis of demographic and health survey data
4 affiliations
- 1MSc Public Health student, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
- 2Assistance International, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- 3University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Health Sciences, Global Health Unit, Groningen, the Netherlands
- 4Frisius MC, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Abstract
Background: High rates of international labour migration have consequences on the health of wives and children left behind by their husbands or fathers, which is sparsely investigated. This study evaluates the impact of migrant husbands on the left-behind wives’ antenatal care and the health of their newborns, comparing wives of migrated and not-migrated husbands from Tajikistan.
Methods: Data from the Tajikistan 2017 Demographic and Health Survey was analysed. 3057 women who had a child under the age of three years and whose husband’s migration status was known were included in this analysis. Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Starting antenatal care (ANC) in the first trimester and low birthweight (LBW) were the main outcomes investigated.
Results: In the last three years, 42.5% of husbands worked abroad for at least three months. In addition, 68.3% of women started ANC in the first trimester, 6.5% of newborns had LBW (<2500 gram). Wives of migrants had 20% lower odds of timely ANC and 37% lower odds to have a child with LBW, in comparison with wives of non-migrants. Parental higher education increased the odds of timely ANC. Higher paternal education level and mothers involved in decision-making about health reduced the odds of LBW.
Conclusion: Wives of migrants started ANC later, but their newborns had higher birthweights compared to wives of non-migrants. Early ANC and birthweight improved with father’s education level and mother’s autonomy. Future interventions should address family’s awareness of the need for ANC especially when fathers plan to migrate.
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BibTeX
@article{oudijk2026association,
title = {{The association between men working abroad and the health of their pregnant wives and newborns in Tajikistan. A secondary analysis of demographic and health survey data}},
author = {J․Mirjam Oudijk and Jelle Stekelenburg},
journal = {Journal of Migration and Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100450},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100450},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The association between men working abroad and the health of their pregnant wives and newborns in Tajikistan. A secondary analysis of demographic and health survey data
AU - J․Mirjam Oudijk
AU - Jelle Stekelenburg
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Journal of Migration and Health
DO - 10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100450
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100450
AB - Background: High rates of international labour migration have consequences on the health of wives and children left behind by their husbands or fathers, which is sparsely investigated. This study evaluates the impact of migrant husbands on the left-behind wives’ antenatal care and the health of their newborns, comparing wives of migrated and not-migrated husbands from Tajikistan. Methods: Data from the Tajikistan 2017 Demographic and Health Survey was analysed. 3057 women who had a child under the age of three years and whose husband’s migration status was known were included in this analysis. Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Starting antenatal care (ANC) in the first trimester and low birthweight (LBW) were the main outcomes investigated. Results: In the last three years, 42.5% of husbands worked abroad for at least three months. In addition, 68.3% of women started ANC in the first trimester, 6.5% of newborns had LBW (<2500 gram). Wives of migrants had 20% lower odds of timely ANC and 37% lower odds to have a child with LBW, in comparison with wives of non-migrants. Parental higher education increased the odds of timely ANC. Higher paternal education level and mothers involved in decision-making about health reduced the odds of LBW. Conclusion: Wives of migrants started ANC later, but their newborns had higher birthweights compared to wives of non-migrants. Early ANC and birthweight improved with father’s education level and mother’s autonomy. Future interventions should address family’s awareness of the need for ANC especially when fathers plan to migrate.
SN - 2666-6235
ER -