264014 Effectiveness of Federal Healthy Start in reducing preterm births among obese mothers

Monday, October 29, 2012

Hamisu Salihu, MD, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Euna M. August, PhD, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Cara de la Cruz, PhD, MPH , Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Alfred Mbah, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Amina Alio, PhD , Department of Community & Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Estrellita Lo Berry, MA , REACHUP, Inc., Tampa, FL
Background: The Central Hillsborough Healthy Start (CHHS) is a federally-funded project dedicated to improving maternal and infant outcomes in socio-economically challenged neighborhoods in Tampa, Florida. Previous research has shown that CHHS effectively reduces the likelihood of preterm birth among service recipients by 30%. However, further investigation is required to determine the impact of CHHS on preterm birth (PTB), as well as very preterm birth (VPTB), among high-risk, obese mothers. Methods: Records from CHHS were linked to hospital discharge and vital statistics data in Florida (2004-2007). The study population for this population-based, retrospective cohort study included obese women who had a singleton birth in Florida during the study period. Women were categorized based on residency within the CHHS service area. To approximate relative risks, we used multivariable logistic regression to generate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The prevalence of obesity among mothers in the CHHS service area was 21.4% and 18.1% in the rest of Florida. Obese mothers in the CHHS service area had a diminished risk of VPTB (AOR=0.42; 95% CI=0.24-0.75), compared to obese mothers in the rest of the state. Estimates for PTB did not reach significant levels. Conclusions: Interventions provided by CHHS were associated with a reduced likelihood of VPTB among obese mothers. Our findings underscore that services from federal Healthy Start projects may be beneficial for high-risk sub-populations of women of reproductive age.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the Federal Healthy Start Program and their services. 2. Describe the impact of a Federal Healthy Start Program on very preterm births among obese mothers.

Keywords: Obesity, Birth Outcomes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was involved in all aspects of the study.
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.

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