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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Rebecca D. Nanyonjo, DrPH¹, Susanne Montgomery, PhD, MPH, MS², Edward Fujimoto, DrPH¹, and Naomi Modeste, DrPH². (1) School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909-796-9779, rnanyonjo@hotmail.com, (2) Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nichol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92354

National and state infant mortality rates have slowly declined over the last several years. Despite this reduction, San Bernardino County still has one of the highest infant mortality rates in California. In addition to this high mortality, racial and ethnic disparities remain at the forefront of concern. National and state objectives have supported the statement that a community's largest health problem is initiated by its infant mortality. The proposed research study will examine whether certain demographic and sociodemographic factors such as socioeconomic status, maternal age at time of delivery and parity influence adverse birth outcomes among women of different ethnic groups residing in different regions of San Bernardino County. The study will compare San Bernardino County women with women throughout the state of California, and within the County of San Bernardino, compare areas with higher infant mortality rates and more frequent events of low and very low birthweight with areas of average or lower than average rates. Areas with high rates of these events will be compared to other regions where rates are not as elevated. The proposed research will use archived, de-identified, maternal population-based data provided by the California Department of Health Services, Department of Vital Statistics. These birth cohort files will be used to better understand the dynamics of infant mortality in San Bernardino County; in an attempt to address ethnic disparities for developing strategies to decrease overall infant mortality and incidence of low birth weight and very low birth weight babies.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify risks and patterns influencing events of low, very low birth weight and infant mortality in San Bernardino County.
• Better understand how demographic and sociodemographic factors play a significant role in obtaining prenatal care.
• Articulate ways for statistically assessing maternal archival data.

Keywords: Reproductive Health Research, Birth Outcomes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation