Using Community Health Workers to Improve Health Outcomes in a Sample of Hispanic Women and Their Infants: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Melanie LutenbacherTonya ElkinsMary S DietrichPublished in: Hispanic health care international : the official journal of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (2022)
Introduction: The Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW) program, an early childhood home visiting program, uses community health workers (CHWs) to improve health outcomes in underserved communities. Methods: This randomized clinical trial evaluated the impact of MIHOW's use of CHWs on selected maternal/infant outcomes up to 15 months postpartum. We hypothesized outcomes would be better among Hispanic women receiving MIHOW compared to a similar group of women eligible for MIHOW who received only a minimal education intervention (MEI). The study also expanded earlier research testing MIHOW's efficacy among Hispanic families using criteria set forth by federal guidelines. Women living in middle Tennessee enrolled during pregnancy (≤26 weeks gestation) and continued through 15 months postpartum. Results: Enrolled women ( N = 132) were randomly assigned, with 110 women completing the study ( MEI = 53; MIHOW = 57). Positive and statistically significant ( p < .01) effects of MIHOW were observed on breastfeeding duration, safe sleep practices, stress levels, depressive symptoms, emotional support, referral follow through, parental confidence, and infant stimulation in the home. Conclusions: Findings provided strong evidence of the effectiveness of MIHOW for improving health outcomes in this sample. Using trained CHWs makes programs such as MIHOW a viable option for providing services to immigrant and underserved families.
Keyphrases
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- pregnancy outcomes
- healthcare
- depressive symptoms
- randomized controlled trial
- cervical cancer screening
- primary care
- public health
- quality improvement
- systematic review
- breast cancer risk
- mental health
- preterm infants
- type diabetes
- physical activity
- metabolic syndrome
- body mass index
- birth weight
- social media
- adipose tissue
- health insurance
- weight gain
- glycemic control
- weight loss