Date of Conferral
3-14-2024
Date of Award
March 2024
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Nursing
Advisor
Janice Long
Abstract
Maternal mortality continues to increase in the United States, despite medical advances. Patients with negative social determinants of health (SDOH) and racial/ethnic minorities are at increased risk for maternal morbidities although most mortality and morbidities found in maternal health could have been prevented. The purpose of this study, guided by the SDOH conceptual mode, was to examine the relationship between the five components of SDOH and early postpartum morbidities among minority racial and ethnic groups. Secondary data (n = 1401) were obtained from a state health department in the Midwest for women who delivered in the year 2022 from one county. After institutional review board approval was obtained, a multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with results showing no significant relationship between SDOH, race/ethnicity, and postpartum morbidities. The study was limited by the few cases of morbidities reported in the dataset (n = 24), which may be the result of the single county data sources. With current literature showing higher morbidities than seen in this study, further quantitative studies over an extended time period and with a broader region are warranted to confirm or refute this study finding. Increasing awareness of the impact of race/ethnicity and SDOH on postpartum morbidities and mitigating efforts to promote healthy maternal outcomes in minority populations will affect positive social change.
Recommended Citation
Garringer, Cynthia Joy, "Comparison by Race/Ethnicity and Social Determinants of Health in Early Postpartum Maternal Morbidities" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 15518.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/15518
