Health system community partnership to design an online resource to address perinatal information needs for Black families: Action research study (Preprint)
Authors: Taylor Yhenneko J , Dahl Alicia , Isreal McKenzie , Spinner Chelse , Sammons Lisa , Fesperman Daniel , Washington Racquel , Mehta Shivani , Howell Candace , Stamp Jennifer , Cobb Pamela ,   Bridges Community Partner Group
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

We aimed to design an online resource hub to provide information to support timely access to care and resources to improve perinatal health outcomes for Black families in Mecklenburg County, the largest metropolitan area in North Carolina.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to design an online resource hub to provide information to support timely access to care and resources to improve perinatal health outcomes for Black families in Mecklenburg County, the largest metropolitan area in North Carolina.

METHODS

Methods: We used an iterative community-informed process, including community member focus groups and organizational partner meetings, to develop and refine the layout and content of an informational website. We conducted focus groups during 2022 and 2023 with Black mothers (n=14) who had given birth in the prior two years or were pregnant. A semi-structured interview guide explored participant perspectives on: (i) information that would be most helpful during the perinatal period; (ii) website usability and content; (iii) appropriateness of imagery and topics; and (iv) effective dissemination strategies. In addition, the research team met regularly with a multisector community partner group to get feedback on website iterations and solicit community resources to include. All content was reviewed for health literacy. Focus group participants were recruited through local clinics and partnering community-based organizations. Participants ranged in age from 17 to 38. Our multisector community partner group included individuals representing public health, patients, providers, social services, and health system leaders. The RE-AIM framework was used for evaluation.

RESULTS

Key themes for website focus areas included: (i) vetted information presented in lay terminology, with tools to identify local, affordable, culturally competent care; (ii) information related to the week-to-week changes they could expect during pregnancy; and (iii) alternative birthing options. The most common suggestions for improvement related to the navigation, amount of text, color scheme, and the use of images. The final Mecklenburg Birthing Connections resource hub provides educational and informative resources for every stage of the perinatal care journey, from preconception to childcare, and links to community resources to address healthcare and social needs. In addition, twenty-seven downloadable infographics highlighted key website content in a graphically engaging format. Results from outreach and marketing efforts to increase awareness of the resource within the community had a broad reach. Moreover, focus group discussions revealed that Black mothers feel the website addresses important informational needs for Black families.

CONCLUSIONS

Partnership with community members enabled the design of a tailored online tool for providing timely information to educate and empower Black families. Ongoing maintenance and dissemination may help address local inequities in perinatal health outcomes.