Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Nancy K. Rea

Abstract

Abstract

African American (AA) women in Mississippi have a higher burden of infant mortality, especially those with low income and educational levels, as compared to other regions of the country. However, it is unknown if abnormal gestation weight gain (GWG) is contributing to this increased burden. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined the association between GWG (25-35lbs), level of education, income, and infant mortality among AA women with normal prepregnancy body weight who were between 30 to 47 years old in the state of Mississippi from 2016 to 2018. Biopsychosocial and ecosocial models were used as the theoretical foundation to design the study and assess the findings. Secondary data were obtained from the Mississippi Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and binary logistic regression analysis was used for inferential analysis. The findings revealed no statistically significant association between normal GWG (25–35 lbs) and infant mortality when compared to AA women with GWG ≥36 lbs. Income was not statistically significant in predicting GWG. In addition, education levels were not statistically significant in predicting infant mortality. Although the study results were not significant, the findings of this research will contribute to positive social change by providing knowledge to inform the following public health agencies in the state. This study encourages public health researchers to search for additional factors that contribute to abnormal GWG as a known risk factor for an increased risk of infant mortality and inform efforts to reduce infant mortality in the state of Mississippi.

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