First Steps: participants and outcomes of a maternity support services program.
OBJECTIVE
To describe characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of participants in a maternity support program and to compare these characteristics and outcomes with those for women who were eligible for, but did not participate in, the program.


METHODS
Descriptive, ex post facto.


METHODS
An inland northwest city.


METHODS
Two hundred twenty postpartum patients who received Medicaid during their pregnancy.


METHODS
Quantitative data were obtained from a structured interview that gathered demographic information. Subjects also completed the Social Support Apgar, an investigator-designed instrument.


RESULTS
Demographic characteristics and overall pregnancy outcomes were similar for program participants and nonparticipants; however, more program participants than nonparticipants quit smoking during their pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings are consistent with results documented by other researchers on the effectiveness of similar programs in different locales. The findings support the need for continued efforts to better define appropriate target populations, interventions, and expectations for these programs.
Department of Nursing at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.
S L
SL
Norwood
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008484:Medicaid; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States