Maternal Confidence and Emergency Department Utilization Among Infants

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Health Services Research
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Understanding factors influencing healthcare access for infants is crucial.
• Maternal confidence may play a role in healthcare-seeking behaviors.
• Emergency department (ED) utilization patterns in early childhood require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between maternal confidence and emergency department (ED) utilization in infants.
• To identify demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with ED visits in the first year of life.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study analyzing Maternal Confidence Questionnaire responses and ED visit data.
• Logistic regression evaluated maternal confidence, demographics, and insurance against ED visit frequency and acuity.
• Study included full-term children aged 12 months or younger at the time of ED visit.

Main Results:

• Medicaid status was the primary predictor of any ED visit.
• Low maternal confidence did not correlate with increased ED visits or nonurgent visits.
• Hispanic or Latino mothers reported higher confidence, were more likely to have Medicaid, and had higher ED visit rates.
• Mothers with college education exhibited lower confidence, fewer ED visits, but higher acuity visits.

Conclusions:

• Maternal confidence is not a significant predictor of frequent or nonurgent infant ED visits.
• Medicaid status is the most significant factor associated with infant ED utilization.
• Hispanic or Latino mothers demonstrate higher confidence and are more likely to utilize ED services, often linked to Medicaid status.