Date of Conferral

7-10-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Services

Advisor

Dr. Kassandra Bahr

Abstract

Due to insurance status, COVID-19 has restricted how and when patients can access healthcare providers. In the health services community, examining obstetric care services during the coronavirus outbreak was important because it increased awareness about how changes to maternal healthcare access affect the health of the mother and unborn child during a pandemic. The theories and/or concepts that grounded this study include the intersectionality theory, which examined the connections between social groups and systems as individuals try to access health services based on health insurance reform, depending on their race. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an association between age, race, and insurance status of pregnant women and the self-reporting of delaying medical care because of the pandemic in 2021; and is there an association between age, race, and insurance status of pregnant women and the self-reporting of not getting medical care because of the pandemic in 2021. Data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for 535 participants were analyzed via logistic regressions for both hypotheses. Both models resulted in the IV's age, race, and insurance status not being significant (p >.05) predictors of delay of care or not getting medical care. Although the results of this study were not significant, this study adds awareness to the potential changes in maternal healthcare access during a regional or national emergency and how this can affect the well-being of the mother and developing child.

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