The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

5118.0: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - 1:00 PM

Abstract #48952

Use of follow-up services by Hispanics of Mexican descent and White non-Hispanics

Patricia A Moore, DrPH, RN1, Curt Bay, PhD2, Hector Balcazar, PhD3, Dean Coonrod, MD, MPH4, Jane Brady, RN, MS4, and Robert Russ, BS2. (1) College of Nursing, Arizona State University, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, 480-968-2266, patricia.moore@asu.edu, (2) Department of Academic Affairs, Maricopa Medical Center, 2601 East Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85008, (3) Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of North Texas School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (4) Department of OB-GYN, Maricopa Medical Center, 2601 East Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Arizona’s Newborn Intensive Care Program (NICP) includes transport and hospital services, financial assistance, and specialized community health nurse home visit and developmental clinic services. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether NICP enrolled infants of mothers of Mexican descent used CHN home visit and developmental clinic services at rates similar to infants of White non-Hispanic (WHN) mothers; and to identify the sociodemographic, ethnic, and health status characteristics associated with service use. Access to health care was the theoretical framework that guided this investigation. The study used retrospective data from the NICP database that was linked to birth certificates for the years 1994 to 1998. The study population for these analyses included 7,442 infants of WNH mothers, 2,872 infants of mothers born in Mexico and 2,612 infants of US born Mexican Americans (MA). In the bivariate analyses, infants of Mexican Americans (MA) were significantly less likely to have a CHN visit by 6 months of age, or by one year, and a smaller percent attended the developmental clinic by age one. After controlling for sociodemographic and health status variables, infants of Mexico-born mothers were more likely to have a CHN visit by 6 months, and had more CHN visits by one year than WNH infants. There were no significant differences in these access indicators between infants of WNH mothers and infants of US-born MA mothers. Infants of mothers who were socially or economically disadvantaged fared less well. Factors associated with increased likelihood of receiving services are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe parameters of service delivery for the Neonatal Intensive Care Program of Arizona.
  • Discuss differences and similarities in service provision across three ethnic groups

    Keywords: Maternal and Child Health, Access to Health Care

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:
    Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Neonatal Intensive Care Program, Arizona Department of Health Services
    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.

    Data systems and data linkage for understanding perinatal and child health

    The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA