Using Community Health Workers to Improve Health Outcomes in a Sample of Hispanic Women and Their Infants: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: The Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW) program, an early childhood home visiting program, uses community health workers (CHWs) to improve health outcomes in underserved communities. Methods: This randomized clinical trial evaluated the impact of MIHOW's use of CHWs on selected maternal/infant outcomes up to 15 months postpartum. We hypothesized outcomes would be better among Hispanic women receiving MIHOW compared to a similar group of women eligible for MIHOW who received only a minimal education intervention (MEI). The study also expanded earlier research testing MIHOW's efficacy among Hispanic families using criteria set forth by federal guidelines. Women living in middle Tennessee enrolled during pregnancy (≤26 weeks gestation) and continued through 15 months postpartum. Results: Enrolled women (N = 132) were randomly assigned, with 110 women completing the study (MEI = 53; MIHOW = 57). Positive and statistically significant (p < .01) effects of MIHOW were observed on breastfeeding duration, safe sleep practices, stress levels, depressive symptoms, emotional support, referral follow through, parental confidence, and infant stimulation in the home. Conclusions: Findings provided strong evidence of the effectiveness of MIHOW for improving health outcomes in this sample. Using trained CHWs makes programs such as MIHOW a viable option for providing services to immigrant and underserved families.

Keywords

MIHOW depressive symptoms breastfeeding maternal/child parental stress community health workers

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