Public Health Commons^™

Effects Of Provider Support And Psychosocial Stressors On Maternal Health-Promoting Behaviors, Mary Catherine Jessen

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACTEFFECTS OF PROVIDER SUPPORT AND PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS ON MATERNAL HEALTH-PROMOTING BEHAVIORS

Despite technological and structural advances in the organization and delivery of health care services to pregnant women and infants, the U.S. ranks low on perinatal outcomes with profound disparities. Engagement in health-promoting behaviors during pregnancy is critical in improving birth outcomes. Women, particularly women of color, continue to experience unmet needs for emotional support with providers. Women of color experience being treated differently based on their race. The purpose of this study was to 1) examine the relationships between stress, provider support, and specific maternal health promoting behaviors (MHPB) …

Intersection Of Maternal Disability Status, Prescription Opioid Use Before And During Pregnancy, And Adverse Birth Outcomes, Chelsea Lynes Richard

Theses and Dissertations

Nationally, individuals with disability, like those with chronic health conditions, have higher rates of opioid use and misuse and are prescribed higher dosages than those without disability. Because opioid agonists and antagonists can cross the placenta rapidly, there is biological plausibility that they may have an impact on birth outcomes. Therefore, monitoring prescription opioid use, particularly among pregnant women, is of great public health importance. While evidence for the impact of opioid use on preterm birth and low birthweight are conflicting; findings are consistent that opioid use during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of small for gestational age, …