Impact of pre-conception health care: evaluation of a social determinants focused intervention

Matern Child Health J. 2010 May;14(3):382-91. doi: 10.1007/s10995-009-0471-4. Epub 2009 Aug 7.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the social determinants component of a multiple determinants model of pre- and inter-conception care. Health department vital statistics and infectious disease data on birth and factors influencing birth outcomes were analyzed for participants in a program designed to mitigate the effects of social class and stress in contrast to a matched comparison group and other relevant populations. The program showed promising results related to reducing infant mortality and reducing other high-risk factors for poor birth outcomes, including low birth weight and sexually transmitted disease. Social determinant interventions, designed to mitigate the impact of social class and stress, should be considered with efforts to reduce infant mortality, particularly the disparities associated with infant mortality. Additional research should be conducted to refine replicable social determinant focused interventions and confirm and generalize these results.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight
  • Black or African American / ethnology
  • Case Management / organization & administration*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Female
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Humans
  • Infant Mortality
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Models, Organizational
  • Organizational Objectives
  • Preconception Care / organization & administration*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome* / ethnology
  • Program Evaluation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / ethnology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control
  • Social Class*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / ethnology
  • Stress, Psychological / prevention & control