5266.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 4:45 PM

Abstract #3070

Association between prenatal exposure to Boston's Healthy Baby/Healthy Child Program and low birth weight incidence

Carolyn Higgins Brennan, cMPH1, Jean Slosek, MS2, Bert K. Collins2, Howard Cabral, PhD3, Katherine Schmidt, RN, MS, MPH4, Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH5, and Patricia Whitworth, RN, BSEd6. (1) Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, (619)583-7512, cbrennan@aznet.net, (2) Boston Public Health Commission, (3) Boston University, (4) Bureau Family and Child Health, Boston Public Health Commission, 2nd Floor, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, (5) Executive Office, Boston Public Health Commission, 6th Floor, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, (6) Healthy Baby/Healthy Child Program, Boston Public Health Commission, 26 Central Avenue, Hyde Park, MA 02136

Objective: To determine the relationship between participation in the Healthy Baby/Healthy Child Program, a home visiting program for pregnant and parenting women, and low birth weight incidence among Boston resident women. Methods: This study utilized a retrospective cohort design. The database contains Boston births vitals data linked to Healthy Baby/Healthy Child program identification numbers. Chi-square and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between program exposure and low birth weight. In addition, risk factors such as age, education, race/ethnicity and marital status were evaluated and adjusted for. Results: 8.8% of the program exposed women gave birth to low birth weight infants, versus 9.3% of the women in the comparison group. This difference is not statistically significant in crude analysis (OR=1.1; 95% CI=.90-1.3) but becomes significant after other risk factors are adjusted for (Adjusted OR=1.4; 95% CI=1.2-1.7). Risk factors found to be significantly associated with low birth weight in univariate and multivariate analysis include: age less than 20 or more than 34 years; black or Hispanic race/ethnicity; smoking during pregnancy; receipt of inadequate prenatal care; being unmarried; and having a history of premature labor. These risk factors were more common among women exposed to the program. Conclusions: The findings support the hypothesis that Boston’s Healthy Baby/Healthy Child program improves birth outcomes among high risk women. It is important to note the need to control for other risk factors when evaluating prenatal care programs that target high risk women.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to: 1. Identify 6 risk factors for low birth weight 2. Describe the goals of and services provided by Boston's Healthy Baby/Healthy Child Program 3. Recognize the importance of controlling for other risk factors when evaluating programs that target high risk populations 4. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Healthy Baby/Healthy Child Program in preventing low birth weight

Keywords: Prenatal Interventions, Low Birthweight

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Healthy Baby/Healthy Child Program
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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA