Abstract
Introduction
Community forum participants voted for an education and resource distribution program (using a baby box) to help reduce local infant mortality. Although multiple sites have implemented similar programs, there is limited peer-reviewed literature about outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective pre- and immediate post-survey design with an intervention (video and written education and resource distribution) in between was utilized with a follow-up survey. The primary research objectives were whether viewing educational videos led to change in self-reported likelihood of select maternal behaviors. Other objectives were whether demographic characteristics were associated with self-reported likelihood of behaviors, and to assess the actual self-reported postpartum behavior.
Results
Participants reported a change in likelihood in: asking a WIC counselor for help (p < 0.001); talking with a provider about substance use (p = 0.014), postpartum depression (p < 0.001) and birth control (p = 0.025); and using the baby box as a slee** space (p < 0.01). After watching the educational videos, college-educated participants were significantly more likely than participants with high school education or less to report likelihood to breastfeed (p = 0.039). Over half of the participants (59.2%) in the follow-up survey reported breastfeeding most to all of the time, compared to 91.5% who reported they were more likely to breastfeed in the post-education survey. The proportion of participants at the follow-up survey who reported bed-sharing most or all of the time (5.7%) was lower than those participants who had said they were likely or very likely to bed-share in the post-education survey (11.3%). Although nearly all participants (98.6%) in the post-education survey reported that they were likely to use the baby box, at the postpartum follow-up, 39.1% reported actual use of the baby box.
Conclusions for Practice
The program positively impacted self-reported likelihood of several health behaviors. A community-driven approach to maternal education and resource distribution may be beneficial in other cities.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Anne Covino, Cathy Violette, Amie Richard, Heather-Lyn Haley, Alexandre Wenk-Bodenmiller, Emily Nuss, Vanessa Villamarin, Joanna Glanz, Emily Chin, Elizabeth Makris, Julia MacDougall, and Elizabeth Meyer; their contributions included subject identification, distribution of baby boxes, data collection and entry. The Remillard Family Community Service Award, 2017-2019, provided funding.
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Funding was provided by Remillard Family Community Service Award.
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Hydery, T., Shields, S., Hen, E. et al. The Impact of Local Education and Resource Distribution on Maternal Health Behaviors. Matern Child Health J 26, 1676–1688 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03416-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03416-3