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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Bonnie Reyna¹, Donna Dozor, RN, MS², Cheryl Hunter-Grant, MSW³, Susan Marchwinski, RNC, MS⁴, Clare Nugent, RN⁴, Paul Visintainer, PhD⁵, and Heather Brumberg, MD, MPH³. (1) Maternal and Child Health, New York Medical College School of Public Health, 95 Grasslands Rd., Valhalla, NY 10595, 914-227-1202, bonnie_reyna@nymc.edu, (2) Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, 1 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, (3) Division of Neonatology, Westchester Medical Center at NY Medical College, 95 Grasslands Rd, Valhalla, NY 10595, (4) Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, 1 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, (5) Epidemiology, NY Medical College, 95 Grasslands Rd, Valhalla, NY 10595

Background: In response to increasing perinatal health disparities in the NY Hudson Valley Region (seven counties), the annual Regional Perinatal Forum Conference (RPFC) was created to educate the diverse group of providers serving the perinatal population. However, its impact on provider practice is unknown.

Objective: To determine the impact of the RPFC over time on clinical and public health practice.

Design/methods: A comparison was done of multiple choice surveys from 2004 and 2005 RPFCs at Westchester Medical Center. Fisher Exact Test was used for analysis.

Results: The response rates were 61% (2004 n=55) and 41% (2005 n=103). Responders for both years felt the RPFC was helpful (2004=98%, 2005=99%; p=0.17). There was an increase over time of responders that felt the conference taught them about public health (2004=72%, 2005=89%; p=0.02). Notably, 73% of responders deemed that they would change the way they practice after attending the conference in 2005 compared to 52% in 2004 (p=0.02). Of the 2005 responders, 23% also attended the 2004 conference with 60% of these individuals indicating that they would change their practice as a result of attendance at the 2004 RPFC.

Conclusion: The RPFC is an effective tool in disseminating clinical and public heath information in our region. The RPFC over time is increasingly beneficial on the clinical and public health practice of responders.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess whether the Regional Perinatal Forum Conference has changed provider practice over time.

Keywords: Perinatal Health, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered