Outcomes from a non-traditional model of health education for interconceptional African American women at risk for adverse birth outcomes: ClubMom

The Improving Pregnancy Outcomes Program (IPOP) is a National Healthy Start Initiative project established to reduce infant mortality in Alameda County, California. Findings from IPOP focus groups indicated that low-income, interconceptional African American women desired a health education home to commune with peers, receive education in a non-stigmatizing manner, build relationships, and have fun.

With grant support from the March of Dimes, California Chapter, IPOP established three monthly ‘ClubMom' venues. The club-like atmosphere helped women feel supported as they engaged in health education. Outreach workers and peer leaders implemented sessions on nutrition, relationships, exercise, family planning and mental health. Staff were available to participants via text or phone on an ongoing basis.

Throughout the one year grant period, 143 pregnant/parenting women participated in 26 ClubMom sessions. There was a significant increase in participant knowledge about stress and depression (35% pre-ClubMom vs. 61% post) and nutrition and exercise (26% vs. 65%). Social support for relationship issues increased (70% vs. 91%). Motivation to seek help for relationship issues increased (57% vs. 91%) and twice as many women knew where they could go for help with nutrition and exercise (39% vs. 78%).

ClubMom successfully implemented a model that changed the context in which young, low-income African American women receive health education. The program expanded its capacity to deliver culturally specific health promotion services to a population challenged with barriers to care. Participants successfully increased their social support, access to health information, knowledge of community resources and were motivated to seek health promoting services.