The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48202

Barbara Caldwell, PhD, RN, CN, The Bergen Center for the Study of Urban Health Systems, PhD Program in Urban Systems, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Nursing, 65 Bergen Street, Room 1118, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07107, 973-972-7450, caldweba@umdnj.edu

The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of life stress, trauma, interpersonal conflict and substance use on pregnancy outcomes for women living in an inner-city. Pregnant women living in inner-city environments experience complex burden associated with poverty, discrimination, community and interpersonal violence and chronic stressors. The risk for mortality and low birth weight is two times greater in African American infants. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to analyze data collected on 193 pregnant women attending an inner-city obstetric clinic. SEM analysis found life stress and substance abuse significantly predicted negative pregnancy outcomes. Symptoms of PTSD were found in almost 70% of the participants. Clinical and research implications are presented related to the health of women and their families.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the impact of substance use, interpersonal conflict, life stress and trauma on pregnancy outcomes.
• Apply research findings in clinical practice areas involved with inner-city pregnant women.
• Discuss the implications of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) findings for clinical practice and future research with inner-city women and their newborns.

Keywords: Pregnancy Outcomes, Urban Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.