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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Diana Romero, PhD, MA1, Wendy Chavkin, MD, MPH1, Lauren A. Smith, MD, MPH2, Paul Wise, MD, MPH2, and Pamela R. Wood, MD3. (1) Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Avenue, B-2, New York, NY 10032, 212-304-5232, drr6@columbia.edu, (2) Boston Medical Center, Maternity 4, Dept of Pediatrics, One Boston Medical Center Place, Boston, MA 02118, (3) University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
Research objective: To assess the association between depression, domestic violence, and substance abuse, and welfare status among mothers of chronically ill children.
Methods: Survey data (n=504) were collected by trained interviewers from mothers of chronically ill children either seeking medical care for their child, or visiting welfare offices, in San Antonio, TX. Mental health was measured with the SF-36; domestic violence, the intimate partner violence scale; substance abuse, a modified CAGE scale. Welfare status (never [N], current [C], former [F], applied-denied [AD], applied-pending [AP]), employment status and health-related employment barriers were collected.
Results: Depression scores were significantly associated with welfare status (N, 36.2%; C, 58.3%; F, 55.0%; AD, 57.7%; AP, 66.7%; p<.001); new welfare applicants had depression scores above the mean. A similar trend was found between domestic violence and welfare (N, 16.4%; C, 31.7%; F, 29.5%; AD, 28.6%; AP, 40.0%; p<.05). Substance abuse was significantly associated with welfare status; former and denied applicants had similar high rates (N, 9.4%; C, 17.5%; F, 20.0%; AD, 20.8%; AP, 16.7%; p<.05). Among those working now or in the past 3 years, the respondent's own health caused 41% to miss work and 14% to lose a job.
Conclusions: Mental health, domestic violence, and substance abuse problems are significantly greater among those involved with the welfare system. Mother's health may present serious barriers to employment.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.