Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108951

Barbara Gottlieb, MD, MPH, Brookside Community Health Center, 3297 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, 617 522-4700, bgottlieb@partners.org and Cindy Engler, RN, MPH, Boston Public Health Commission, Department of Maternal and Child Health, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118.

Improving the health of childbearing age women is a major objective in reducing racial disparities in infant mortality. Community health centers provide comprehensive,longitudinal care, establishment of patient-provider trust, and are appropriate sites to address complex medical and psycho-social issues. However time pressures may compromise the achievement of these objectives, particularly in resource-poor settings that serve racially and ethnically diverse communities. The PSAP is developing a screening tool and a system of care for depression, substance abuse and intimate partner violence among childbearing age women at community health centers. Based on literature review, focus groups,and on-going consumer feedback, we developed a brief tool for provider-based screening, assessment and brief intervention in all 3 content areas. We have also enhanced systems of referral and tracking for patients who screen positive. The tool has been translated into 5 languages. In our pilot phase, 42% of women screened + for depression, 25% for potentially problematic substance use, 18% for exposure to violence, and 53% for any one of the 3. 30% were referred for further services. Compared with baseline, our tool yields significantly higher rates. We are successfully identifying women who have or are at risk for these problems, and are creating opportunities for further assessment and intervention that will improve their health. We will present findings from the project analyzed by race and ethnicity. We will also present outcomes including referrals, and interventions that were delivered as well as results of patient and provider satisfaction surveys.

Learning Objectives: Those who attend our presentation will

• Learn about a process for engaging diverse community members, partients and providers to develop a culturally appropriate screening tool for sensitive psycho-social issues
• Learn about the rates of depressive symptomatology, substance use and exposure to violence among diverse groups of childbearing age women
• Learn about the value of providing preconception care in a primary care/community health center setting

Keywords: Community Health Centers, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.