The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

5115.0: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 1:00 PM

Abstract #58864

Composite “pictures” of infant mortality in Mississippi: 2003

Marianne E Zotti, DrPH, RN and Jaime Slaughter, MPH. Mississippi State Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of Personal Health Services, PO Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700, 601 576-7472, MZotti@msdh.state.ms.us

Background: Because IM is complex, it is difficult to recognize the most effective strategies for reducing the high Mississippi infant mortality (IM) rate. This paper will demonstrate how mapping statewide feto-infant mortality rates (FIMR) identifies opportunity gaps in Mississippi State Health Department (MSDH) programs and studies.

Methods: Perinatal Periods of Risk (PPOR) use birthweight and age of death to map FIMR into four components, Maternal Health/Prematurity, Maternal Care, Newborn Care, and Infant Health; each component has different contributing factors. Analyses were conducted on singleton fetal deaths >24 weeks of gestation and live births >500 grams occurring among Mississippi residents from 1997-1999. Population results were compared to an internal reference group (RG), white non-Hispanic women aged >20 years with >13 years education, to determine excess mortality for each component.

Results: The Mississippi group’s (MS) FIMR was 12.4/1,000 live births and fetal deaths compared with the RG 7.5/1,000. The FIMR is nearly two times higher for the population among deaths related to Maternal Health/Prematurity (MS=4.2; RG=2.4), Maternal Care (MS=3.2; RG=1.9), and Infant Health (MS=3.1; RG=1.6). The between groups difference in Newborn Care was negligible (MS=1.8; RG=1.6), signifying no additional initiatives are needed in this area. Now MSDH program performance and studies are being used to create a composite “picture” for each component with excess mortality. The use of these “pictures” in planning will be presented.

Implications: A systematic approach in assessing FIMR results in enhanced MCH planning, appropriately targeted interventions, and directed studies to help Mississippi decrease its fetal and infant mortality.

Learning Objectives:

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.

Programs to Reduce Health Disparities and Infant Mortality

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA