Abstract
In the United States, more than 9 million rural women (15–44 years old) experience limited access and delivery of reproductive healthcare services. Rurality coupled with lower socio-economic status are associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain in-depth information from underserved English- and Spanish-speaking pregnant and postpartum rural women on what they would value in a health promotion program. Three focus group sessions were conducted exploring four domains: (1) physical activity, (2) dietary habits, (3) fetal movement/kick counts, and (4) breastfeeding and other support resources. Five overarching themes were observed across domains, with the following health promotion needs: (1) information on safe exercises, (2) advice on healthy food and drink, (3) breastfeeding support, (4) guidance on counting fetal movement, and (5) self- and peer-education. Study findings will inform intervention programming that aims to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes.
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Benjamin Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Kearny County Hospital, Lakin, Kansas.
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This research study was partially funded by the Kearny County Healthcare Foundation.
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Lisette T. Jacobson, Rosalee Zackula, Michelle L. Redmond, Jennifer Duong, and Tracie C. Collins declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.
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Jacobson, L.T., Zackula, R., Redmond, M.L. et al. Pioneer baby: suggestions for pre- and postnatal health promotion programs from rural English and Spanish-speaking pregnant and postpartum women. J Behav Med 41, 653–667 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-018-9930-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-018-9930-y