Prenatal Care Education in an Urban, Underserved Population

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Description
Background and Purpose: Across the United States, there are low adherence rates of prenatal care visits, primarily among the low-income and ethnic populations. Inadequate prenatal care education contributes to low appointment adherence and missed prenatal care during their first trimester. The project aim

Background and Purpose: Across the United States, there are low adherence rates of prenatal care visits, primarily among the low-income and ethnic populations. Inadequate prenatal care education contributes to low appointment adherence and missed prenatal care during their first trimester. The project aim is to assess the current use of paper-based prenatal education in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in southwestern Arizona and inquire if patients would elect to engage in a phone application for prenatal education with appointment reminders. Approach/Methods: The Theory of Planned Behavior was the theoretical framework utilized to guide this project. The Quality Improvement (QI) project gathered information regarding patient technology use and accessibility as well as utilization of FQHC prenatal booklet, collected with a 13-question survey. A non-identifying demographic questionnaire was also distributed during the prenatal visit. Results: Survey responses indicated that patients find utility in prenatal education and appointment reminders provided through a phone application. Out of the total participants (n=23), only 18 had received the prenatal care booklet and completed the entire survey. 80% of participants expressed they would use the phone application while 84% find prenatal education on the phone helpful. In comparison, less than 28% of respondents planned to continue to use the prenatal booklet they were provided at the clinic during their pregnancy. Outcomes: There is potential in utilizing digital platform and appointment reminders at FQHC to improve appointment adherence and early entry to prenatal care. The results will be used to inform FQHC on decisions regarding continuing prenatal booklet use and integration of techbased education formatting.
Date Created
2022-05-02

Identifying Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural Women

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Description
Problem Statement & Purpose: Cervical cancer screening rates for a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in rural Northern Arizona is 78%, which is below the Healthy People 2030 goal of 84.3%. Identification of socioeconomic barriers unique to rural women through

Problem Statement & Purpose: Cervical cancer screening rates for a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in rural Northern Arizona is 78%, which is below the Healthy People 2030 goal of 84.3%. Identification of socioeconomic barriers unique to rural women through the use of an intake survey can improve cervical cancer screening rates. This project was guided by the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). SCT proposes that behavioral change is determined by environmental, social, personal, and behavioral elements. Methods: At a one-day well-woman event called, “See, Test, and Treat” hosted by the FQHC, an anonymous intake survey was implemented that identified participant demographics, basic cervical cancer knowledge, and perceived socioeconomic barriers to routine cervical cancer screening. Participants were recruited through the FQHC. Participant inclusion criteria: Arizona resident, uninsured, underinsured, 21-65 years old, English or Spanish speaking. Results: Descriptive statistics were utilized to evaluate the survey responses, reliability, and validity of responses unknown due to self-reported responses. A total of 18 surveys were completed with a final yield of (n = 10). Surveys didn’t identify barriers to routine cervical cancer screening; however, an unawareness of cervical cancer risk factors including multiple sexual partners (n = 5, 50.00%), sex at an early age (n = 4, 40.00%), and misperception that cervical cancer is genetic (n = 7, 70.00%) was identified. Implications for Practice: A need for cervical cancer education exists within the surveyed community. Providing rural women with knowledge regarding cervical cancer can improve screening rates.
Date Created
2022-04-29