Knowledge is power: Improving pregnancy outcomes by increasing provider knowledge

“The infant death rate is the truest index of the welfare of any community.” Infant mortality is one of several pregnancy outcomes that can be affected by addressing maternal health and behavioral risks- risks that can be modified if identified during pregnancy. The Florida Healthy Start prenatal risk screening is the single greatest asset to assist prenatal care providers in determining and addressing risks that could compromise favorable pregnancy outcomes. In 2008, frequent educational trainings began with prenatal care providers across Alachua and Marion Counties. These trainings were utilized to combat misconceptions about Healthy Start screening and program eligibility. It was hypothesized that when providers were better educated about the screenings, the number of patient screenings conducted would increase, which would, in turn, have a positive impact on pregnancy outcomes in the community. Screening rates in the two counties were examined, and compared against pregnancy outcome statistics from 2006-2009. As screening rates increased in the two counties, nearly all pregnancy outcome indicators improved. The biggest single-indicator improvement was in Marion County where, in 2006, 13.6% of all live births were preterm. In 2009, this number fell to 11.1%. This data suggests positive trends in pregnancy outcomes when more prenatal risk screenings are conducted. Providers should conduct this screening with each patient, which will produce more favorable pregnancy outcomes. In order to make a positive change in the health of a community, we must first start with mothers and children.