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Predictors of Non-Attendance to the Postpartum Follow-up Visit

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Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to measure the incidence and identify predictors of postpartum visit non-attendance, using medical records of women who received prenatal care and went on to deliver live births at Montefiore Hospital in 2013. Methods Pearson’s Chi square tests were used to assess the association between maternal demographics, insurance status, and delivery information with non-attendance of a postpartum visit. Logistic regression and modified Poisson regression models were then used to identify statistically significant predictors of postpartum visit non-attendance. Results We found that one-third of all women who attended a prenatal visit at Montefiore Hospital did not return for a postpartum visit. Variables significantly associated with non-attendance include having Medicaid or no insurance (RR 1.4, 95 % CI 1.2–1.6), being Hispanic or Latino (RR 1.2, 95 % CI 1.1–1.3), having a vaginal delivery (RR 1.2, 95 % CI 1.1–1.4), and age <20 years (RR 0.77, 95 % CI 0.64–0.92). Conclusions for Practice We conclude that the risk of postpartum visit non-attendance disproportionately impacts socially and economically vulnerable patients who are: younger, part of a minority ethnic background, and depend on state funded health insurance. Our results highlight the disparity in access to postpartum care and the importance of identifying barriers to attendance as well as developing creative strategies of providing postpartum care outside of the traditional postpartum visit framework.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1945 Eastchester Rd, Apt 28G, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Annemieke Wilcox

  2. Division of Family Planning and Global Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, 1695 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Erika E. Levi

  3. Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4004 Old Clinic Bldg, CB# 7570, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7570, USA

    Joanne M. Garrett

Authors
  1. Annemieke Wilcox
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  2. Erika E. Levi
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  3. Joanne M. Garrett
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Correspondence to Annemieke Wilcox.

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Wilcox, A., Levi, E.E. & Garrett, J.M. Predictors of Non-Attendance to the Postpartum Follow-up Visit. Matern Child Health J 20 (Suppl 1), 22–27 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2184-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2184-9

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