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Increasing obstetrics care access in rural and underserved areas: The effect of health literacy levels and age on fetal monitoring device acceptability
Brake, Anna
Brake, Anna
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2025-02-26
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Pregnant women in rural and underserved communities are frequently unable to access convenient obstetrics care, which is associated with a decrease in healthcare utilization levels, negatively affecting health outcomes. Younger women may have lower levels health literacy which also impacts healthcare access. Based on former wearable device acceptability research, a questionnaire was developed and assessed the acceptability (e.g., wearability, comfort) of a wearable fetal heart rate monitor during obstetrics care. This questionnaire was limited to women of reproductive age (18-49), included 47 questions and was administered online. Participants were recruited through local posters and social media using a snowball sampling recruitment strategy. One hundred sixty-three participants completed the survey. Health literacy levels increased with age. Women of age18-20 years had the lowest health literacy level (52.9%), followed by age 21-29 (78.7%), 30-39 (91.7%), and 40-49 (95.8%) (p<.001). 148 participants answered health literacy questions. Older women reported higher acceptability than younger participants (74% vs 53%, p=.026). Younger participants reported lower acceptability levels. As age increased, health literacy levels increased. Results suggest increased interactions with clinicians result in increased health literacy skills. To improve the acceptability of the device, clinicians should consider how to build trust and address these concerns. This project contributes to an interdisciplinary effort to develop a fetal monitor aimed at addressing the maternal and fetal healthcare gaps in the state.
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Poster project completed at Wichita State University. Presented at the Kansas Undergraduate Student Research Day at the Capitol, Topeka, KS, February 26, 2025.
Sponsored by Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub, Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College.
Sponsored by Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub, Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College.
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Wichita State University