Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Danielle Huff, RD, CNSD, LDN, Drexel University Nutrition Center, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-895-2419, dch33@drexel.edu, Jennifer Culhane, PhD, MPH, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drexel University College of Medicine, PPP Project, Philadelphia, PA 19102, and Shortie McKinney, PhD, RD, FADA, College of Health Professions, Marshall University, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755.

Poor nutritional status may contribute to an increased risk of preterm birth. This study was designed to improve nutritional status among a group of women with a previous preterm birth, with the ultimate goal of reducing future preterm birth for these women. A 12 session nutrition intervention was designed to cover several topics including the food guide pyramid, micronutrients, and body mass index. A total of 140 women who delivered preterm in a participating hospital were approached at one month postpartum for enrollment into the intervention. Of these, 46% (n=65) accepted. The originally planned group counseling nutrition intervention method (provide peer support and reduce costs) was changed to individual counseling due to numerous client scheduling issues. Thirty-two percent (n=21) of those who accepted never attended a counseling session. Among those who did attend (n=44), the median number of sessions attended was 1.5 (range, 1-12). Reasons cited for canceling sessions included health issues of the baby, responsibilities to other family members, and transportation. Despite intensive tracking methods, providing transportation and incentives, and offering telephone sessions, 64% (n=28) of those who attended dropped out prior to completion. The high attrition rate is contributed to recent preterm delivery, “chaotic” home environments complicated by low socioeconomic status, and the non self-select design of the intervention. Attendance at a nutrition intervention in the immediate postpartum period may be an unrealistic goal, particularly for women who deliver preterm. Findings may have implications for other postpartum nutrition interventions. Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Health.

Learning Objectives:

• 1)Identify three barriers to attending a nutrition intervention in the immediate postpartum period among women delivering a preterm baby.
• 2)Identify three attempted ways to improve participation in a postpartum nutrition intervention among high risk, urban, minority women.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered