Health Care Use, Coverage, and Experiences During the Year Prior to Pregnancy in a Primarily Hispanic Population with Low Income: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

This study describes health care utilization and experiences and how health care costs were covered in the year prior to pregnancy in a population of primarily Hispanic women with low income.MethodsPregnant participants were recruited from 5 Federally Qualified Health Center clinics. Semistructured interviews included questions about health care in the year prior to pregnancy. Transcripts were analyzed using a thematic approach that integrated deductive and inductive analysis.ResultsMost participants self-identified as Hispanic. Just under half were US citizens. All but one were Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program Perinatal coverage insurance during pregnancy and relied on a variety of strategies to cover prepregnancy health care costs. Almost all received health care during the year prior to pregnancy. Fewer than half reported an annual preventive visit. Health care needs that led to care-seeking included a prior pregnancy, chronic depression, contraception, workplace injury, a persistent rash, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infection, breast pain, stomach pain (leading to gallbladder removal), and kidney infection. The ways in which study participants covered the costs of health care ranged in terms of sources and complexity. Although some participants described stable health care coverage, most reported changes throughout the year as they pieced together various health care coverage programs and out-of-pocket payments. When participants did se...
Source: Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health - Category: Midwifery Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research