Emerging Practice

Mississippi Interpregnancy Care Project: The MIME and DIME Studies

State/Jurisdiction: Mississippi
Setting: Community
Population: Women & Maternal
Topic Area: Access to Quality Healthcare Reproductive Health Birth Outcomes
NPMs: NA

The Interpregnancy Care Project of Mississippi (MIME and DIME Studies) investigated whether primary health care and social support following very low birthweight delivery improved subsequent child spacing and pregnancy outcomes among low income black women. Two cohorts of women were enrolled following very low birthweight deliveries: an urban cohort (n=47) and a rural cohort (n=85). Subsequent reproductive outcomes were compared with retrospective control cohorts. In the urban group, pregnancies within nine months were significantly lower (p=0.05) for intervention participants. Although not significantly different, the trend for fewer pregnancies and adverse outcomes was positive at 9 and 18 months in both urban and rural intervention groups. Two important study findings include identification of implementation barriers (providers, transportation, continuity of care) and identification of previously unrecognized or inadequately managed chronic conditions (urban 62%; rural 63%) associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Increasing interpregnancy care implementation and primary healthcare access for low income Mississippi women will reduce very low birth weight deliveries and, subsequently, their chronic health problems and exorbitant costs.


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CONTACT INFORMATION
Mississippi State Department of Health
Dr. Juanita Graham, DNP-RN, FRSPH
OleMSRN@msn.com
601-672-3195
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