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How many visits by health professionals are needed to make a difference in low birthweight? A dose-response study of

E Desjardins1, D Hardwick

  • 1Toronto Public Health. dellen@region.waterloo.ca

Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne De Sante Publique
|September 18, 1999
PubMed

Insights

The Toronto Healthiest Babies Possible (HBP) program effectively reduces low birthweight (LBW) in mothers facing risks like smoking and adolescence. Optimal results were seen with 9-11 program home visits.

Area of Science:

  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Public Health Interventions
  • Perinatal Epidemiology

Background:

  • Established risk factors for low birthweight (LBW) include smoking, nutrition, and adolescence.
  • The mediating role of program interventions and necessary intervention levels for LBW reduction remain less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the Toronto Healthiest Babies Possible (HBP) program's effectiveness in mediating the impact of smoking, adolescence, prepregnancy underweight, and weight fluctuations on LBW.
  • To determine the dose-response relationship between the number of HBP home visits and LBW outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of program data linking maternal risk factors and intervention exposure (number of home visits) to birthweight outcomes.
  • Statistical modeling to assess the HBP program's mediating effect and identify the optimal number of home visits for LBW reduction.

Main Results:

  • The HBP program demonstrates a positive impact, mediating the effects of smoking, adolescence, and prepregnancy underweight on LBW.
  • A dose-response relationship was observed, with 9-11 home visits identified as the most effective intervention level for reducing LBW.

Conclusions:

  • The Healthiest Babies Possible (HBP) program is a valuable strategy for mitigating risks associated with LBW.
  • The findings suggest a benchmark for intervention intensity, indicating 9-11 home visits as a critical threshold for significant LBW reduction.

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