Reproductive and Child Health

• In 2015, there were approximately 51 pregnancies per 1,000 females of reproductive age in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit region, similar to the 53 pregnancies per 1,000 females of reproductive age in Ontario. Between 2006 and 2015, the pregnancy rate per 1,000 females of reproductive age (15 to 49 years) has been increasing significantly in the Health Unit region, while the rate in Ontario has decreased significantly. Among 20 to 24 year olds, the pregnancy rate was 50% higher in the Health Unit region (79 pregnancies per 1,000 20 to 24 year old females) compared to Ontario females (53 pregnancies per 1,000 20 to 24 year old females).

Last updated: November 3, 2022.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

• In 2015, the teenage (15 to 19 years) pregnancy rate in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit region (25 pregnancies per 1,000 teenage females) was 56% higher, and significantly higher than the Ontario rate (16 pregnancies per 1,000 teenage females). The teenage pregnancy rate in the Health Unit region and Ontario has decreased significantly between 2006 and 2015.

Last updated: November 3, 2022.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

• In 2016, approximately eight infants were born live for every 1,000 persons in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit region, significantly lower compared to the Ontario rate (10 live births per 1,000 population). Between 2006 and 2016, live birth rates have remained stable in the Health Unit region, and have decreased significantly in Ontario.

Last updated: November 3, 2022.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

• In 2016, eight preterm infants were born for every 100 live births in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit region, similar to the Ontario rate (eight preterm births per 100 live births). Between 2006 and 2016, the rate of preterm births in the Health Unit region has remained stable, while it has decreased significantly in Ontario.

Last updated: November 3, 2022.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

• In 2016, approximately nine infants were born small for gestational age (SGA) for every 100 live singleton births in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit region, statistically similar to the Ontario rate (10 infants born SGA per 100 live singleton births). Between 2006 and 2016, the rate of SGA infants remained stable in the Health Unit region (from 8 infants born SGA in 2006 to 6 infants born SGA per 100 live singleton births), while the Ontario rate has increased significantly by about 8%.
• In 2016, approximately 12 infants were born large for gestational age (LGA) for every 100 live singleton births in the Health Unit region, similar to the Ontario rate (10 infants born LGA per 100 live singleton births). Rates have been stable over time in both in the Health Unit region in Ontario.

Last updated: November 3, 2022.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

About 5.4% of pregnant women living in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit region reported drinking alcohol during pregnancy in 2016, about double the percentage for pregnant women in Ontario (2.5%).

Last updated: November 3, 2022.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

In 2016, about one in four women (24.6%) in the Health Unit region reported taking folic acid either before pregnancy or during pregnancy, a significantly lower percentage compared to about 33.5% of women in Ontario.

Last updated: November 3, 2022.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

• In 2016, 6.4% of expectant mothers in the Health Unit region reported using street drugs or inappropriately using prescription and non-prescription drugs during their pregnancy, significantly higher and about 2.5 times the percentage in Ontario percentage (2.2%).
• A significantly higher percentage of expectant mothers in the 25 to 34 year old age group within the Health Unit region (5.9%) used drugs during their pregnancy, compared to 1.7% of expectant mothers in Ontario.

Last updated: November 3, 2022.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

Tobacco use during pregnancy in the NBPSDHU region (October 2018). This reports includes trends overtime and describes tobacco use by the following dimensions: Geography (Health Unit and Ontario); Age (25 years or younger; 25 to 34 years; and, 35 years or older); and, household income level (Less than $40,000; $40,000 to $79,999; and, $80,000 or higher).

Report highlights:

• Between 2013 and 2016 the percentage of women who reported smoking during their pregnancy in the Health Unit region was more than double the Ontario percentage.
• Among pregnant women aged 35 years or older in the Health Unit region, 15.6% reported smoking during pregnancy, about four times higher compared to pregnant women in Ontario belonging to the same age group (4.1%). About 18.4% pregnant women aged 25 years or younger in the Health Unit region smoked during her pregnancy, three times higher compared to about 6.2% of pregnant women in Ontario.
• For live infants born between January 12 2014 and December 31, 2015, about one of every three mothers in the Health Unit region who reported having a household income level less than $40,000 a year had reported smoking during their pregnancy, significantly higher compared to about one in ten mothers with household income levels between $40,000 and $79,999, and compared to one in twenty mothers with household income levels of $80,000 or higher.

• In 2016, one of every five (20.2%) of pregnant women living in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit region reported anxiety during their pregnancy, almost double the percentage of pregnant women in Ontario (10.3%).
• About 17.1% of pregnant women in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit reported depression during their pregnancy in 2016, more than double the percentage of pregnant women in Ontario (8.2%).

Last updated: November 3, 2022.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.