Maternal and child health journal
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Matern Child Health J · Dec 2018
Enhancing Healthier Birth Outcomes by Creating Supportive Spaces for Pregnant African American Women Living in Milwaukee.
Objectives Nationwide, African American women report higher stress levels and less access to pre- and postnatal resources. Wisconsin mirrors national infant mortality trends that show a persistent four-decade gap in infant survival between African American and White populations. The objective of the Milwaukee Birthing Project (MBP) was to implement a community-based health promotion intervention to improve birth outcomes for pregnant, low-income African American women, evaluate its effectiveness, and document its usefulness to inform development of future interventions. ⋯ Based on our analysis, we classify these spaces as: (1) community spaces lacking support, (2) safe spaces of belonging and understanding, (3) spaces that foster meaningful interaction, and (4) safe, supportive spaces for other women in the future. Conclusions for Practice Future interventions should consider intentionally developing safe spaces to attain health goals. From a postcolonial feminist perspective, the voices of women who are at greatest risk for experiencing poor birth outcomes are crucial to the development of effective policies.
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Matern Child Health J · Oct 2018
Psychosocial Stress and Preterm Birth: The Impact of Parity and Race.
Objectives Studies examining risk factors for preterm birth (PTB) such as psychosocial stress are often focused on women with a history of PTB; however, most preterm babies are born to women with no history of preterm birth. Our objective was to determine if the relationship between psychosocial stress and PTB is altered by parity. Non-Hispanic black (NHB) women have increased psychosocial stress and PTB; therefore, we further aimed to determine if race alters the relationship between psychosocial stress, parity, and PTB. ⋯ In women with a history of term birth, higher self-efficacy was associated with lower odds of spontaneous PTB, and this association was amplified in NHB women. In women with a history of spontaneous PTB, John Henryism Active Coping was associated with lower odds of spontaneous PTB in the index pregnancy. Conclusions for Practice The relationship between psychosocial stress and PTB may be mediated by parity and race.
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Matern Child Health J · Aug 2018
Association Between Obstetric Provider's Advice and Gestational Weight Gain.
Objective This study examined associations between pregnant women's report of obstetric provider GWG advice, self-reported adherence to such advice, and GWG. Methods Healthy pregnant women (N = 91) who started obstetric care prior to 17 weeks of gestation completed assessments between 30 and 34 weeks of gestation. These included survey (questions on receipt of and adherence to provider GWG advice, and demographics) and anthropometric measures. ⋯ Conclusions Frequency of GWG advice from obstetric providers is less than optimal. When given and followed, provider advice may reduce the risk of excessive GWG. Research to understand factors that facilitate providers GWG advice giving and women's adherence to providers' advice, and to develop interventions to optimize both, is needed.
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Matern Child Health J · Aug 2018
Racial/Ethnic Inequities in Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth: The Role of Multiple Forms of Stress.
Introduction Racial/ethnic inequities in low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB) persist in the United States. Research has identified numerous risk factors for adverse birth outcomes; however, they do not fully explain the occurrence of, or inequalities in PTB/LBW. Stress has been proposed as one explanation for differences in LBW and PTB by race/ethnicity. ⋯ Discussion Results of this study demonstrate that stress may increase the risk of LBW and PTB. While stressors may contribute to racial/ethnic differences in LBW and PTB, they do not fully explain them. Mitigating stress during pregnancy may help promote healthier birth outcomes and reduce racial/ethnic inequities in LBW and PTB.
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Matern Child Health J · Jul 2018
Factors that Influence Parental Misperception of Their Child's Actual Weight Status in South Carolina.
Objectives Studies suggest that parents tend to misperceive their child's actual weight status and typically underestimate their child's weight. Since few studies examine the factors that influence parental misperception, this study aims to assess the influence of parent and child factors with parental misperception of their child's actual weight status who were either at their recommended weight or overweight/obese in South Carolina in 2013 and 2014. Methods Secondary data were obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the Children's Health Assessment Survey (CHAS) in 2013 and 2014 in SC. ⋯ Results In the adjusted multivariate analysis, only child's age was significantly and positively associated with parental misperception of their child's actual weight status. Conclusions for Practice This cross sectional analysis showed an association between child's age and parental misperception of child's actual weight status. It is essential to educate parents about their children's weight status, especially among young children.