Research

Carmen Giurgescu, PhD, Funded Projects

Comparison of Prenatal Coping Strategies, Coritsol and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines between Low-risk and High-risk African American Women

Funding Source: American Nurses Foundation

Dates: 10/20/06 – 10/20/08

Pregnant African-American Women’s Perceptions of Stressors and Resources that Impact Preterm Birth

Funding Source: Center for Reducing Risks in Vulnerable Populations (CRRVP)

Dates: 8/1/07 - 7/31/08

Abstract: The long-term goal of my research is to develop an evidence-based culturally relevant intervention that decreases health disparities associated with preterm births in African American (AA) women. In 2005, almost half a million infants in the US were born prematurely costing $26.2 billion. Persistent health disparities exist in relation to preterm birth both nationally and in Chicago, with AA women having almost twice the rates of preterm birth. Research suggests that the causes of these disparities in preterm birth for AAs may be related to cumulative exposures to race-related chronic stressors of neighborhood environment and racial discrimination. In contrast, personal resources such as self-esteem and coping strategies may have protective effects on preterm birth. However, studies on the effects of race-related chronic stressors and personal resources on preterm birth used objective data to measure these variables (i.e. census data, birth records and closed-ended instruments). None of the researchers assessed women’s perceptions of these stressors and resources. While objective measures limit the data related to women’s responses, subjective data allow for an in-depth elaboration of known factors related to preterm birth and the discovery of new ones.

This pilot study will explore pregnant AA women’s views of stressors and resources that may impact preterm birth using a qualitative descriptive exploratory design. A minimum of 25 pregnant AA women will participate. Women’s views of their stressors and resources will be assessed through focus groups. This study will provide AA women’s views of factors related to preterm birth and guide the development of a culturally relevant intervention that decreases health disparities associated with preterm births in AA women. Data obtained will be instrumental in the submission of a larger quantitative NIH R01 application to test culturally relevant intervention in a sample of pregnant AA women that has the potential to reduce the preterm birth rates in this population.