American Journal of Public Health, Vol 90, Issue 1 121-124, Copyright © 2000 by American Public Health Association
Factors predicting completion of a home visitation program by high-risk pregnant women: the North Carolina Maternal Outreach Worker Program
M Navaie-Waliser, SL Martin, MK Campbell, I Tessaro, M Kotelchuck and AW Cross
Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. mnavaie@vnsny.org
OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify characteristics of high-risk
pregnant women that predicted long-term participation in a home visitation
program. METHODS: Data regarding sociodemographic characteristics,
perceived needs, psychological functioning, substance use, and informal
social support were collected prospectively from 152 short-term and 221
long-term program participants. RESULTS: In comparison with short-term
participants, long-term participants were more likely to have been African
American, married, nonsmokers, and enrolled in the program during their
second trimester of pregnancy, and they were more likely to have had
emotional and instrumental support needs. CONCLUSIONS: Women with greater
social support needs and healthier behaviors were more receptive to
long-term home visitation than other women.