The efficacy of two comprehensive perinatal programs on reducing adverse perinatal outcomes

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Perinatal Health
• Maternal and Child Health

Background:

• Teen pregnancy presents significant public health challenges.
• Medi-Cal clients represent a vulnerable population requiring targeted perinatal support.
• Assessing the effectiveness of specialized programs is crucial for improving maternal and infant outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of two perinatal programs on adverse pregnancy outcomes among adolescent Medi-Cal clients.
• To determine if enrollment in the Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program (CPSP) or the Comprehensive Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting Program (CTAPPP) reduces adverse birth outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of historical data from 312 Medi-Cal clients aged 12-18.
• Comparison of adverse perinatal outcomes (low birthweight, preterm birth, NICU admission) between program enrollees and non-enrollees.
• Statistical analysis controlling for potential confounding factors like prenatal care quality.

Main Results:

• The overall rate of adverse perinatal outcomes was 10.9%.
• Enrollment in CPSP was significantly associated with a reduction in adverse perinatal outcomes.
• Enrollment in CTAPPP showed no significant association with reduced adverse outcomes.
• Simultaneous enrollment in both programs did not yield additional benefits.

Conclusions:

• The Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program (CPSP) demonstrates effectiveness in improving birth outcomes for high-risk teenage populations.
• Comprehensive perinatal care models show promise for mitigating adverse outcomes in adolescent pregnancies.
• Further research into optimizing perinatal interventions for vulnerable youth is warranted.