178767 Prenatal care: A localized view of language barriers

Monday, October 27, 2008

Rachel Hart, MPH , Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY
Dorothy Faulkner, PhD , Division of Health Studies, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, Allentown, PA
Rose Leandre, BA , Haitian American Cultural and Social Organization, Spring Valley, NY
Cheryl Hunter-Grant, LMSW, CLC , Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network, Regional Neonatal Center, Valhalla, NY
Lorraine Anglin, MPH , Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network, Regional Neonatal Center, Valhalla, NY
Heather Brumberg, MD, MPH, FAAP , Regional Perinatal Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center/NY Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Background:

Women who do not seek prenatal care are at an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes including miscarriage, premature birth, and small for gestational age or low birthweight. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Rockland County (NY) residents. The objectives were to: 1) assess the prevalence of not receiving prenatal care; and 2) identify subpopulations with knowledge deficiencies regarding prenatal care services.

Methods:

A survey instrument was designed to assess health services awareness, knowledge of risk factors for negative perinatal outcomes, health status, health care access, prenatal care, breastfeeding behaviors, and demographics. Face-to-face interviews in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole were administered (Nov.-Dec., 2007) in three towns in Rockland County at local businesses. Convenience sampling was employed.

Results:

Univariate analyses revealed that, of the women who had previously been pregnant or were currently pregnant (n=58), 43.1% had not received prenatal care services. Bivariate analyses of all respondents (n=293) revealed that those who spoke English at home had a 2.05 (95%CI:1.17-3.59) times higher odds of knowing that women without health insurance can receive free prenatal care, compared to those who did not speak English at home. Overall, 69.6% reported that they did not speak English at home. Race/ethnicity, gender, and age were not significant correlates of this knowledge item.

Conclusion:

There is an underutilization of prenatal care services in Rockland County. Information regarding free prenatal care services for women without health insurance should target individuals who do not speak English at home.

Learning Objectives:
1. Assess the prevalence of not receiving prenatal care in Rockland County (NY). 2. Identify subpopulations with knowledge deficiencies regarding prenatal care services. 3. Suggest populations to target with information regarding prenatal care utilization.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract Author on the content I am responsible for because of extensive coursework in the field of Epidemiology as well as research in maternal and child health. Specific relevant courses include Behavioral Epdemiology, Applied and Advanced(current) Epidemiology as well as coursework in biostatistics. Research in maternal and child health results from an internship with the March of Dimes between 2006 and 2007.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.