Date of Defense
4-26-2016
Date of Graduation
4-2016
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Amy Damashek
Second Advisor
Ariel Berman
Third Advisor
Wendy Kershner
Abstract
Study goals were to explore maternal perceptions of possible ways to reduce infant mortality in Kalamazoo County, with specific regards to the infant mortality rates of non-Hispanic African American babies versus non-Hispanic Caucasian babies. Two focus groups were conducted of voluntary, anonymous, participants from the YWCA domestic violence shelter and clients of home visiting services provided by the Kalamazoo County Department of Health and Community Services. The focus groups were guided allowing women to voice their opinions about ways to prevent infant mortality in Kalamazoo. Women were also asked to respond to the goals created by a community planning committee to reduce racial disparities within infant mortality. Findings from the focus groups were analyzed to be presented to The Kalamazoo Infant Mortality Community Action Initiative, which is sponsored by the YWCA and aimed at decreasing the racial disparity of infant mortality and increasing positive birth outcomes among at risk women in Kalamazoo. Qualitative data analysis techniques were used to analyze the data. The main themes that emerged encompassed the following: safe sleep, maternal health behavior, healthcare, and stressors.
Recommended Citation
Dries, Leah, "Using Focus Groups to Identify Ways to Reduce Infant Mortality in Kalamazoo" (2016). Honors Theses. 2682.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/2682
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Thesis Presentation
Included in
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Family Practice Nursing Commons, Pediatric Nursing Commons