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Enhancing Prenatal Care Adherence and Access at Planned Parenthood Across Florida
Location: 73
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Porter
Adequate prenatal care is crucial to ensure maternal and infant health, yet disparities persist that limit women’s potential to access reliable services and adhere to suggested standards of care. In Florida, where less than 75% of women receive sufficient prenatal care, mothers and babies are more vulnerable to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, low gestational weight, and even maternal and infant mortality. This research investigates the multifaceted barriers to prenatal care in Florida, leveraging Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida (PPSENFL) to equip women with adequate resources for a safe pregnancy. Rooted in the Health-Belief Model (HBM), the proposed intervention integrates enhanced patient education materials, the development of an app-based support platform, and provider resource training in order to provide comprehensive prenatal support while building patient self-efficacy. A mixed-methods evaluation will assess short-term changes in knowledge and attitudes, alongside long-term impacts on behavior and health indicators. Data will be gathered from pre- and post- surveys, app engagement metrics, and statewide birth data to synthesize patient and provider feedback and assess intervention success. Overall, this research and targeted intervention is crucial to improving prenatal care adherence and access in Florida as well as ensure maternal and infant health.
