Prenatal care is essential to positive birth outcomes in economically disadvantaged populations. Yet in these populations little is known about the scope of prenatal visits, mothers perceptions of how behavior affects their health or fetal health, how prenatal education affects these beliefs, and differences between ethnic groups. 78 African-American and 67 Mexican-American pregnant women were interviewed about prenatal visit content (medical procedures and health education) and beliefs about the health effects of maternal behavior. All mothers were low-income. The mothers were in a maternal case-management program; Mexican Americans were interviewed in Spanish. Mexican American and African-American mothers recalled having received about the same number of medical procedures (X (Mexican-American)=3.95 out of 4 possible procedures, X (African-American)=3.83, t=-1.90, p=.06). However, more African-American respondents recalled their provider discussing health information for each of the 12 health behaviors than did Mexican Americans. African-Americans reported that their provider discussed an average of 8.5 of the 12 behaviors, compared with 6.7 for Mexican Americans (t=2.7, p=0.01). Controlling for Mexican American length of stay in the U. S. changed none of these differences. Health care providers need to assess maternal beliefs to provide appropriate prenatal guidance. While providers discuss behavioral issues, their message may not be effective. Providers may need to focus their patient education more directly on how behavior affects the mother and her unborn baby's health.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. List 5 differences in messages given to Latinas and African-Americans in this sample. 2. Articulate the effect of beliefs on behaviors and the effect of messages on beliefs
Keywords: Prenatal Care, Health Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.