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Maternal Health‐Seeking on Behalf of Low‐Income Children
Author(s) -
Kaiser Katherine Laux,
Barry Hultquist Teresa,
Chen LiWu
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12228
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , medicaid , medicine , public health , population , health care , environmental health , family medicine , gerontology , nursing , economics , economic growth
Background Women receiving Medicaid account for almost one‐third of the childbearing population in the United States, an extensive investment for federal and state governments. Gaps and conflicting research results exist that explain/predict maternal health‐seeking behavior for vulnerable children. Public health nurses ( PHN ) need evidence to design interventions that improve maternal health‐seeking and child health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine factors: maternal (key influences), child, and household that contribute to maternal health‐seeking behavior. Methods The design was a descriptive, correlational, longitudinal study ( n = 1,141 mother‐child dyads). Results Children were more likely to receive preventive medical care if they had a medical condition ( OR : 1.60, p < .01) and had access to private transportation ( OR : 1.49, p < .05). Children of married mothers ( OR : 1.51, p < .01) and access to private transportation ( OR : 1.47, p < .05) received more preventive dental care. African‐American mothers ( OR : 0.61, p < .01) and mothers with higher self‐reported health status ( OR : 0.84, p < .05) sought less illness‐related medical child health services ( CHS ). Conclusion Maternal health‐seeking behavior in low‐income households is complex. Predictors may depend on whether care is preventive or illness‐related, medical, or dental. Further study should clarify what factors predict what type of CHS use to better specify PHN interventions.