Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Examining the Role of Discrimination in Prenatal Care Utilization: A Systematic Review Using the Social-Ecological
Abdul-Manaf Mutaru1, Alexa Parra1, Cynthia Nicole Lebron1
1School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA.
Discrimination significantly impacts prenatal care (PNC) access for minority groups in the US. Addressing structural, interpersonal, and intrapersonal discrimination is key to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Timely prenatal care (PNC) is crucial for maternal and infant health.
- Significant disparities in PNC utilization persist in the US, especially among ethnic/racial minorities.
- The influence of discrimination on PNC utilization across social and structural contexts requires further exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on how various forms of discrimination affect PNC utilization in the United States.
- To understand the multifaceted influence of discrimination across social and structural contexts on PNC access.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review guided by the Social-Ecological Model.
- Searches conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL for US-based, peer-reviewed studies (2010-2024).
- Included 11 studies (5 qualitative, 5 quantitative, 1 mixed-methods) after screening 342 records.
Main Results:
- Structural discrimination (e.g., language barriers, institutional policies) correlated with delayed/insufficient PNC.
- Interpersonal discrimination (e.g., negative patient-provider interactions, implicit bias) discouraged care engagement.
- Intrapersonal factors (e.g., internalized discrimination) influenced perceptions of care quality and trust.
Conclusions:
- Discrimination operates on multiple levels (structural, interpersonal, intrapersonal) to affect PNC utilization.
- Culturally responsive care, provider training in cultural humility, and institutional reforms are needed to address discrimination.
- Future research should investigate protective factors like social support and resilience to buffer discrimination's effects.
More Related Videos
08:13Using the Race Model Inequality to Quantify Behavioral Multisensory Integration Effects
Published on: May 10, 2019
06:39Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Stereotype Content Model
Bias in Epidemiological Studies
Regression Toward the Mean
Strategies for Assessing and Addressing Confounding
Confounding can be addressed at both the design phase of a study and through analytical methods after data...
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...