Although many maternal and child health programs emphasize comprehensive prenatal care for women at high risk of infant mortality, few also focus on interconceptional and postpartum family planning and family planning community building interventions. African American women are at high risk for unintentional pregnancy; 72% of pregnancies of African American women are unintentional. Almost 90% of African American women use contraception but 19% using contraceptives experience a pregnancy. Women most likely to experience an unintentional pregnancy, teens, less educated, low-income, homeless, substance users also are at increased risk of infant mortality. They are less likely to seek or have access to early prenatal care, continue behaviors such as poor nutrition, smoking, and substance use and experience high social and environmental stress. This paper describes public health strategies of a community partnership of family planning, maternal and child health and public health social work for culturally-appropriate community-based family planning for those at high risk for infant mortality. Community consortia, residents and consumers provided guidance for cultural competency and diversity. Program strategies included culturally appropriate education and services, peer education, partnerships with neighborhood organizations, consumer surveys and focus groups, and enhanced family planning for those with special needs.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Specify racial disparities in unintentional pregnancy 2. Recognize 5 social risk factors for unintentional pregnancy 3. Analyze unintentional pregnancy as a risk factor for infant mortality 4. Describe 3 strategies to reduce racial disparities in unintentional pregnancy
Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Family Planning
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.