3055.0: Monday, October 22, 2001 - Board 2

Abstract #30464

Jail Incarceration, Prenatal Health Service Use, and Infant Birthweight

Janice F. Bell, MN, MPH1, Frederick J. Zimmerman, PhD2, Laurie Cawthon, MD, MPH3, Colleen Huebner, PhD, MPH4, Debbie H. Ward, RN, PhD5, and Carole Schroeder, RN, PhD5. (1) School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356153, Seattle, WA 98195, 206-598-6574, jfbell@u.washington.edu, (2) School of Public Health & Child Health Institute, University of Washington, Box 358853, 146 N. Canal St., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98103, (3) Division of Research and Data Analysis, State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services, PO Box 45204, Olympia, WA 98504-5204, (4) School of Public Health and Community Medicine Maternal and Child Health Program, University of Washington, Department of Health Services Box 357230, Seattle, WA 98195-7230, (5) School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Background: Recent studies suggest that aspects of the prison environment (including shelter, nutrition and access to prenatal care) may improve pregnancy outcomes. No comparable studies have been conducted in local jails, yet more women enter jails than prisons each year. Women incarcerated in jails typically serve shorter sentences than women in prisons and are more likely to be released before delivery. This study extends available research by examining the relationships between jail incarceration, post-release prenatal health service use, and infant birthweight. Methods: Information from three urban jail facilities was computer-linked to vital records and Medicaid claims in the Washington State First Steps Database to identify n~500 births to women who were in jail between 1994-1998 for at least part of pregnancy. The comparison group includes Medicaid-funded births in the same time period matched to the incarcerated group by county-of-residence and randomly selected 5:1 (n~2500). Multivariate linear and logistic regression will be used to examine the association between jail incarceration and infant birthweight [modeled continuously (g) and categorically (low <2500g; very low <1500g)] adjusting for potential intervening variables including demographics and prenatal health service use. Results: Results will be useful for the development of public health policy aiming to increase access to care and improve the health of a vulnerable population of women and infants. See none

Learning Objectives: Objectives: 1. Describe demographics, background characteristics, and rates of post-release prenatal health service use for women incarcerated in jail during pregnancy. 2. Describe the relationships between jail incarceration, post-release prenatal health service use and infant birthweight.

Keywords: Birth Outcomes, Criminal Justice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA