Motherhood Together: Effects of an Adapted Prenatal Curriculum on Mother and Infant Outcomes

Background: Research shows that pregnant women experiencing housing insecurity are more likely to face barriers to prenatal care that can lead to negative health outcomes for both mother and infant. Previous studies have also shown that prenatal education programs provide pregnant mothers with the knowledge and resources that increase the likelihood of positive health outcomes. An interprofessional healthcare team in Central Arkansas modified an existing prenatal education program to create Motherhood Together, a program specifically tailored for pregnant women facing house insecurity. Methods: The purpose of this initial evaluation of the Motherhood Together program was to identify the feasibility of the program and preliminary outcomes. This evaluation sought to better understand the demographic composition of the population participating in Motherhood Together (n = 19), as well as the effect of the program on infant outcomes, health literacy, and maternal self-care. The overall participant experience and feedback to enhance the program was also obtained. Results: The average age of participants was 24.6 years old and 77.8% reported high school as their highest level of educational attainment. The majority of participants identified as Black/African American (77.8%) and 22.2% identified as White. Participants scored the experience of Motherhood Together sessions positively with an overall score of 3.75/4.00. Participants reported an average gestational age at delivery being 36.9 weeks with 25% reporting preterm births following the program. Multivitamins were reported as being taken by 100% of participants following participation. Conclusion: Tailoring the pre-existing educational program to create the Motherhood Together program was clearly feasible and continues to serve as a critical resource for improving equity in infant and maternal outcomes in central Arkansas

Addressing Mental Health Needs: Perspectives of African Americans Living in the Rural South.

ObjectiveRural African Americans are disproportionately affected by social stressors that place them at risk of developing psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to understand mental health, mental health treatment, and barriers to treatment from the perspective of rural African-American residents and other stakeholders in order to devise culturally acceptable treatment approaches.MethodsSeven focus groups (N=50) were conducted with four stakeholder groups: primary care providers, faith community representatives, college students and administrators, and individuals living with mental illness. A semistructured interview guide was used to elicit perspectives on mental health, mental health treatment, and ways to improve mental health in rural African-American communities. Inductive analysis was used to identify emergent themes and develop a conceptual model grounded in the textual data.ResultsStressful living environments (for example, impoverished communities) and broader community-held beliefs (for example, religious beliefs and stigma) had an impact on perceptions of mental health and contributed to barriers to help seeking. Participants identified community-level strategies to improve emotional wellness in rural African-American communities, such as providing social support, improving mental health literacy, and promoting emotional wellness.ConclusionsRural African Americans experience several barriers that impede treatment use. Strategies that include conceptualizing mental illness as a normal reaction to stressful living environments, the use of community-based mental health services, and provision of mental health education to the general public may improve use of services in this population

Addressing Mental Health Needs: Perspectives of African Americans Living in the Rural South.

ObjectiveRural African Americans are disproportionately affected by social stressors that place them at risk of developing psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to understand mental health, mental health treatment, and barriers to treatment from the perspective of rural African-American residents and other stakeholders in order to devise culturally acceptable treatment approaches.MethodsSeven focus groups (N=50) were conducted with four stakeholder groups: primary care providers, faith community representatives, college students and administrators, and individuals living with mental illness. A semistructured interview guide was used to elicit perspectives on mental health, mental health treatment, and ways to improve mental health in rural African-American communities. Inductive analysis was used to identify emergent themes and develop a conceptual model grounded in the textual data.ResultsStressful living environments (for example, impoverished communities) and broader community-held beliefs (for example, religious beliefs and stigma) had an impact on perceptions of mental health and contributed to barriers to help seeking. Participants identified community-level strategies to improve emotional wellness in rural African-American communities, such as providing social support, improving mental health literacy, and promoting emotional wellness.ConclusionsRural African Americans experience several barriers that impede treatment use. Strategies that include conceptualizing mental illness as a normal reaction to stressful living environments, the use of community-based mental health services, and provision of mental health education to the general public may improve use of services in this population