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. 2022 May 10;3(1):515-522.
doi: 10.1089/whr.2021.0116. eCollection 2022.

A Qualitative Study Documenting Black Birthing Individuals' Perspectives on the Disproportionate Rate of Preterm Birth in the Black Community

Sarahn M Wheeler  1 , Khaila Ramey-Collier  2 , Kelley E C Massengale  3 , Konyin Adewumi  1 , Thelma A Fitzgerald  1 , Teresa Swezey  4 , Geeta K Swamy  1 , Amy Corneli  4
Affiliations

A Qualitative Study Documenting Black Birthing Individuals' Perspectives on the Disproportionate Rate of Preterm Birth in the Black Community

Sarahn M Wheeler et al. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle). .

Abstract

Background: Compared with all other racial and ethnic groups, the rate of preterm birth (PTB) is 50% higher among non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). There are limited published data focused on the etiology of the racial disparity in PTB from the perspective of Black birthing individuals who have had a lived experience with PTB.

Methods: To gain insights into the etiology of the race disparity in PTB from the NHB patient's perspective, we conducted a qualitative descriptive study with NHBs who have a history of PTB. We conducted both focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews (IDIs), and used applied thematic analysis to analyze the data.

Results: Seven individuals participated in 3 FGDs and 15 individuals participated in an IDI. The majority of participants named stress as a contributor to PTB among NHBs. Participants described that stress becomes an ongoing cycle with a cumulative effect on health. Three primary sources of stress were identified: (1) individual including stress from lack of personal wellness, (2) relational stress from intimate partner and familial relationships, and (3) community-level stress from occupations and societal expectations.

Conclusion: Uncovering NHB patient's perspectives on the etiology of PTB is a critical step to develop interventions that mitigate the disparity impacting the Black community. Our findings suggest that multilevel interventions targeting individual-, relational-, and community-level stress may be necessary to reduce rates of PTB among NHB individuals.

Keywords: disparities; inequity; premature birth; preterm birth; qualitative; race.

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Conflict of interest statement

No competing financial interests exist.

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