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Published on: January 12, 2018
Healthy start program and feto-infant morbidity outcomes: evaluation of program effectiveness
Hamisu M Salihu1, Alfred K Mbah, Delores Jeffers
1Center for Research and Evaluation, Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, University of South Florida, 3111 E. Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33613, USA. hamisu.salihu@gmail.com
Maternal and Child Health Journal
|August 12, 2008
Summary
The Healthy Start program effectively reduced feto-infant morbidity, including low birth weight and preterm births, in a community setting. This intervention demonstrates a significant positive impact on infant health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Community Interventions
Background:
- Disadvantaged communities face significant feto-infant morbidity challenges.
- The Healthy Start program aims to mitigate these adverse birth outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the Healthy Start intervention on feto-infant morbidity.
- To assess the program's effectiveness in a community setting.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data (2002-2007) from Healthy Start participants and Florida birth records were analyzed.
- Logistic regression models and number needed to treat (NNT) were used to assess outcomes.
- Key indices included low birth weight (LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), preterm birth, and small for gestational age (SGA).
Main Results:
- Service recipients showed reduced risk for low birth weight (OR=0.7), preterm birth (OR=0.7), and a composite morbidity outcome (OR=0.8).
- Risk reduction for very low birth weight (OR=0.5) and very preterm birth (OR=0.6) was noted but not statistically significant.
- The lowest NNT was for the composite outcome (18), preterm birth (21), and low birth weight (24).
Conclusions:
- The Healthy Start intervention significantly reduced feto-infant morbidity risks in a disadvantaged community.
- The program demonstrated effectiveness in lowering rates of very low birth weight and preterm births.
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