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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Brenda N. Henry, MSW, Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 209 Parran Hall, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, 412-383-9087, bnh5@pitt.edu

Infant mortality is a critical human right concern both internationally and nationally. The greatest area of infant mortality disparity within the United States is between African Americans and whites. African American infant deaths have remained two times that of white infants' despite overall decline (Wise, 2003). What are the underlying causes for the continued gap between African American and white infant mortality? Maternal stress as a psychological factor contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes is gaining significance in the literature. While there is no consensus on the definition of stress, there is agreement that how an individual responds to psychosocial factors can impact health outcomes (Livingston et al. 2003). Historically, the literature has focused on major life events when analyzing the impact of maternal stress on pregnancy outcome. Factors such as racism, discrimination and poverty are often reviewed in the literature as social constructs. Racism as a chronic stressor is emerging as a critical factor in understanding the disparity in pregnancy outcomes for African American women. To understand how chronic maternal stress contributes to poor pregnancy outcomes, three community focus groups were conducted with pregnant or recently pregnant (< 12 months) African American women age 25-35, from diverse socio-economic status. The purpose of this research was to explore and identify the stressors that African American women perceive if any, as a part of their pregnancy experience. This presentation will present the findings of the focus groups. Implications for future research and recommendations for future intervention strategies will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• To learn what African American women perceive as stressors impacting their pregnancy
• To be able to recognize chronic stressors that may adversely impact pregnancy
• To understand the relationship between chronic stressors and poor pregnancy outcomes for African American women

Keywords: African American, Pregnancy Outcomes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered