Abstract
Problem Significance
Pregnancy complications are the ninth leading cause of death among women of childbearing age and leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States. There is an increasing prevalence of women of color experiencing pregnancy complications at a high rate. Effective health literacy skills are a critical part of early screening for pregnancy complications to prevent maternal mortality. This trend can be reduced by increasing patient centered health literacy education and early screening.
Analysis and Objectives
The top three pregnancy complications are gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), and preeclampsia within women of color. All three of these complications can be preventable through early screening. Therefore, health literacy skills and early screenings are needed to reduce pregnancy complications and maternal mortality rates among pregnant women of color.
Intervention (Solution) Proposal
This project provides a health literacy intervention to help reduce pregnancy complications and maternal mortality rates for women of color in Sacramento County. The intervention is a two-part workshop to provide adequate health literacy skills that all participants can use to make informed health decisions during pregnancy.
Recommendations and Conclusions
This health literacy approach aims to improve the health outcomes of pregnant women of color in Sacramento County by increasing skills, knowledge, and self-efficacy. Further health literacy research is needed to strengthen the evidence of the effect of health literacy in reducing pregnancy complications among women of color.