Developing a Maternal Health Education and Research Training Program for High School, Pharmacy, and Health Sciences...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Medical Education
• Perinatal Health

Background:

• Maternal mortality and morbidity represent significant public health concerns in the U.S.
• Developing a robust perinatal workforce is essential for delivering high-quality maternal healthcare.
• There is a need for innovative educational programs to address these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To launch and evaluate the Maternal Health Education and Research Training (MHERT) program.
• To educate high school, pharmacy, and health sciences students on maternal health.
• To enhance research skills and promote action-based solutions for maternal health issues.

Main Methods:

• Integrated online, self-paced lessons with hands-on research or community projects.
• Covered topics including epidemiology, causes of mortality/morbidity, research methods, and action plan development.
• Utilized quizzes, reflection responses, surveys, and course evaluations for assessment.

Main Results:

• The MHERT program enrolled 22 students, all of whom completed the course components.
• High participant satisfaction was reported, with teaching effectiveness rated at 95% and 96%.
• Participants demonstrated enhanced understanding of maternal health, improved research capabilities, and increased community engagement.

Conclusions:

• The MHERT program effectively improved participants' knowledge and skills in maternal health.
• The program fostered interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement.
• MHERT provides a scalable model for strengthening public health education in perinatal care.