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Online Program

317875
Barriers to service utilization among immigrant families participating in the Florida Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 11:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Pamela Birriel, MPH, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Siobhan Davis, BA, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Esther Jean-Baptiste, BS, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Leandra Olson, BS, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Rema Ramakrishnan, MPH, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Chantell Robinson, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Suen Morgan, BS, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Loreal Dolar, MS, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Deviquea Rainford, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Elizabeth Baker, PhD, MPH, CPH, College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Jennifer Marshall, PhD, MPH, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
  
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Background: In 2013, eleven MIECHV programs were implemented in Florida. The purpose of these programs is to support high-needs families by helping pregnant women and parents access needed resources and develop skills to raise healthy families. Thus far, MIECHV has served a culturally diverse population of 817 participants, including: 52% non-White; 21% Hispanic, 13% primarily Spanish speakers, and 3% primarily Haitian-Creole speakers.

Methods: As part of a larger evaluation of the Florida MIECHV Programs, 32 focus groups and/or interviews were conducted with 81 MIECHV administrators, supervisors, and home visitors regarding the strengths of their program and the characteristics and needs of families served. A preliminary inductive content analysis approach utilizing open coding was used to identify recurring themes, many of which related to immigrant families.

Results: MIECHV staff from eight programs identified health promotion among immigrant families as a major challenge. Staff identified a number of healthcare needs such as chronic disease management (diabetes), STI/HIV treatment and prevention, lack of prenatal care, and unassisted birth. Barriers to care included eligibility requirements, cost, lack of telephone, transportation, language barriers, and fear of deportation. These issues result in social and physical isolation of these families, which is ameliorated through the trusting relationships, navigation, support and services home visitors provide.

Discussion: Through outreach and service delivery tailored to the unique needs of immigrant families in these Florida communities, the MIECHV Program has an immense opportunity to contribute to its goal of serving high risk families and improving maternal and child health.

Learning Areas:

Administration, management, leadership
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health administration or related administration
Public health or related nursing
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the Florida MIECHV Program through interviews with program home visitors, administrators, and supervisors Identify the needs of immigrant families participating in MIECHV Assess the opportunities and challenges of serving immigrant families in the program Discuss future implications for improvement of the MIECHV Program regarding undocumented and legal immigrant populations

Keyword(s): Maternal and Child Health, Immigrant Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the MIECHV Program Evaluation Project Coordinator and was involved in the planning, data collection, and analysis of this interview data. I have a master’s degree in public health (MPH) and have experience with disseminating research findings at national conferences. My MPH is in global health practice, and I am currently a PhD candidate with a concentration in community and family health at the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida.
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.

Back to: 3136.0: Barriers and enablers promoting or impeding health among immigrants and refugees communities 1