Factors Contributing to Perinatal Health for Black and Latine Infants and Their Caregivers

• In Event: Poster Session 06
  In Poster Session: PS 06 Topic - Health, Growth, Injury

Abstract

It is not clear why Black and Latine infants are more likely to be born premature and low birthweight in the United States (DeSisto, Hirai, Collins, & Rankin, 2018). Recent research, however, suggests that accumulated lifetime experiences of racial discrimination independently predict preterm delivery amongst African American women. To better understand potential factors impacting low birthweight amongst Black and Latine infants, we conducted focus groups in selected communities in southern New York State. Findings informed the development of a mixed-methods interview for women and men who are pregnant or have had a child in the last two years. We took a bioecocultural approach, considering factors within the home, work, and wider physical and social environments that might impact both general health outcomes and low birthweight. Individual interviews with 63 (57 female, 3 male; age range 18-45 years; 36 African American or Black, 4 Afro Caribbean, 4 Black Hispanic/Latina, 6 White Hispanic/Latina, 1 Haitian, 1 Jamaican, 2 Latina, 1 Asian) participants indicated that participants experienced financial stress, dissatisfaction with healthcare experiences, and racial discrimination (within medical and community settings). Participants also noted poor housing conditions, limited transportation, a lack of resources for mothers, limited programming for children, and inadequate healthy food options within their communities. In evaluating potential contributors to prematurity and low birthweight, participants tended to highlight factors perceived to be within the mother’s control, including diet, prenatal vitamin intake, smoking, and stress. Quantitative data complemented these findings, for example in demonstrating that stress and racism-related stress, as well as stress during pregnancy, were significantly negatively associated with life satisfaction and social cohesion, but positively correlated with environmental chaos. These findings suggest the need for ongoing work in partnership with healthcare providers to ensure effective access for all expecting families, as well as the need for prospective research to better understand the impacts of accumulated chronic stress resulting from lifetime discrimination and exposure to multiple stressors on infant perinatal health.

Authors

• Kim T Ferguson, Sarah Lawrence College
  Presenting Author

• Linwood J Lewis, Sarah Lawrence College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Cheryl Hunter-Grant, Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network
  Non-Presenting Author

• Cara Stanley, Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network
  Non-Presenting Author

• Amber Carroll
  Non-Presenting Author

• Emily Feltham, Sarah Lawrence College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jordan Foster, Sarah Lawrence College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kathryn Pilliod, Sarah Lawrence College
  Non-Presenting Author