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- Title
Disparities in Postpartum Care Visits: The Dynamics of Parental Leave Duration and Postpartum Care Attendance.
- Authors
Keefe-Oates, Brianna; Janiak, Elizabeth; Gottlieb, Barbara; Chen, Jarvis T.
- Abstract
Objectives: To understand differences in the relationship between parental leave duration and postpartum care across sociodemographic and income groups. Methods: We used data from six states participating in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's yearly PRAMS study from 2016 to 2019 with a total sample of 12,442 people. Bivariable analyses assessed demographics among those who took more or less parental leave and estimated the prevalence of not accessing postpartum care by demographics, stratified by leave length. We used propensity score weighting to estimate the predicted risk and risk ratios of not accessing postpartum care with < 7 as compared to > = 7 weeks of leave, stratified by income. Results: There were significant differences in the prevalence of not accessing care stratified by leave duration, and disparities in utilization by race, ethnicity, and income. A shorter leave duration was associated with a higher risk of not accessing care (RR: 1.98 [CI 1.25–3.20] in higher income group, RR: 1.45 [CI 1.08, 1.99] in lower). The absolute risk of not accessing care was highest in the lower income group regardless of leave duration, though patterns of increased utilization with longer leave duration were consistent in both groups. Conclusions for practice: While shorter leave durations increased the risk of not attending postpartum care, those with lower incomes had the highest absolute risk of not attending care. Policies to support paid leave and extended leave duration are necessary, along with additional supports to increase postpartum care utilization, particularly among low-income families. Significance: What is already known on this subject?: Postpartum care helps identify pregnancy and birth-related complications and coordinate follow-up care, serving as an important avenue for identification and treatment of maternal morbidities. Parental leave is associated with improved health outcomes postpartum. Disparities in both parental leave and postpartum care have been observed across multiple sociodemographic groups. What does this study add?: A shorter leave duration increased the risk of not attending postpartum care. However, those with lower incomes had the highest absolute risk of not attending care. These findings suggest leave duration is important for postpartum care attendance, and that low-income families should receive further support to improve postpartum care attendance regardless of leave duration.
- Subjects
MARYLAND; NORTH Carolina; NEW Hampshire; OREGON; WISCONSIN; MASSACHUSETTS; HEALTH services accessibility; INCOME; PARENTAL leave; PUERPERIUM; POSTNATAL care; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; RACE; MEDICAL appointments; STATISTICS; HEALTH equity; CONFIDENCE intervals; SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors; TIME; EMPLOYMENT reentry
- Publication
Maternal & Child Health Journal, 2024, Vol 28, Issue 9, p1506
- ISSN
1092-7875
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10995-024-03929-z