 |
|
Division of Reproductive
Health: Activities:
Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program: Participating State |
|
Back to
Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program
Iowa
Current Assignee: Since January 2005, there has been an assignee
located with the Iowa Department of Health in Des Moines, Iowa. Prior to
that, the assignee was an MCH EPI fellow with the Mississippi State Department of
Health.
Projects/Impacts:
MCH EPI assignment in IOWA
Medicaid agreed to match IOWA funds after program
managers became interested in examining how data can support public
health action. Some of the results of the analysis, new for the state’s
programs, were that Medicaid births comprised 28% of the annual birth
cohort for 2003. The main factors associated with infant low birth
weight (LBW) were pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) (OR=3.6;
CI=2.8–4.7), inadequate prenatal care, too many visits in prenatal care
(associated with high risk pregnancies), low maternal weight gain, being
of black race, and smoking during the pregnancy. Maternal age, level of
education, or marital status were not associated with LBW. Because of
the high proportion of smoking among white Medicaid mothers, program
mangers have a renewed interest in focusing on smoking cessation programs
for pregnant women and women of childbearing-age. Program managers present their anecdotal observations and discuss
observed methods to bridge program concerns with
investigative questions. This is a first step
towards evidence-based program and policy development.
The MCHEPI assignee
evaluated the MCH data in Iowa using a modified MCHEPI capacity
assessment tool. Resulting in the following activities.
- A process of conducting a department-wide
assessment is being considered.
- Four staff are taking
GIS training.
- A mechanism to monitor information dissemination was
developed, including monitoring abstract submissions to national and
regional conferences.
- There is a plan to repeat this assessment at 3–year
intervals, as outlined in the State System Development Initiative grant
for 2007–2011.
Back to
Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program Page last reviewed: 2/8/08
Page last modified: 3/6/06
Content source: Division
of Reproductive Health,
National Center for Chronic
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion |
|
 |
|
|
PRAMS
A surveillance project of CDC and state health departments. PRAMS collects state-specific,
population-based data on maternal attitudes and experiences prior to, during
and immediately following pregnancy.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
