The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61941

M. Elizabeth Irwin, PhD, Joanna Thomas, MD, Gara M. Mosier, PhD, and Susan McWilliams, BSN. Area Health Education Center - Northwest, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 2907 E. Joyce Boulevard, Fayetteville, AR 72703, 479 521-8269, birwin@ahecnw.uams.edu

Healthy People 2010 goals targets many issues related to maternal and child health during the prenatal and postpartum periods. The prenatal period provides an opportunity to address these goals because many women and couples are particularly receptive to changing their own health behaviors. Through patient education, a knowledgeable health professional can promote positive health outcomes during this time. However, maternity care providers often have limited time to provide comprehensive education during a routine prenatal visit because the immediate focus of care is obstetric. A family medicine clinic initiated a program to examine the use of a nurse educator to provide patient education in the home or clinic setting as a complement to traditional family practice maternity care. The study was a quasi-experimental design with random assignment to one of two patient groups (home-based or clinic-based). Participants in each group received one prenatal and one postpartum education session delivered by the nurse educator. Outcome variables included mothers’ attitude toward breastfeeding, breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding duration, knowledge of infant care, and patient enablement. Pre- and post-test measurements demonstrated a statistically significant increase in knowledge of infant care and more positive attitudes about breastfeeding. Ninety-one percent of the mothers in the study initiated breastfeeding after birth with 49% of those mothers continuing to breastfeed at six weeks. Mothers also reported a greater perception of being able to care for themselves. This study shows that using creative and innovative ways of delivering health care can have an impact on reaching important public health goals.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Recognize the impact of primary care interventions in achieving national public health goals.
• Define the role and function of a nurse educator in prenatal and postpartum care.
• Describe the benefits of expanded prenatal and postpartum patient education for the mother/infant dyad.

Keywords: Breast Feeding, Home Visiting

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.