3453 The Spectrum of Homelessness and Its Association with Maternal Morbidity

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: To examine maternal morbidity and its related social determinants among women experiencing homelessness during pregnancy. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This study will use an exploratory sequential mixed method design to explore and examine the structural, interpersonal and individual factors contributing to maternal morbidity among a convenience sample of 150 English speaking women experiencing homelessness during a pregnancy within the last 3 years in Baltimore. In the qualitative phase of the study, we will conduct semi-structured interviews with 15 women purposively sampled to refine the relationships between resilience, social determinants of health and multilevel factors that impact maternal morbidities. Factors of interest include prenatal care received, barriers and facilitators to receiving prenatal care, maternal morbidities, social support, and strategies used to manage their condition during this time. Using the findings from the qualitative phase, a quantitative survey will be developed to gather data on topics that emerged in the interviews. In addition, the Housing Instability Index will be used to measure the degree of homelessness as defined by the degree of housing instability in a 6-month period. Using the 25-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, resilience levels among women in the sample will be assessed as a moderating factor in the examination of the relationship between a pregnant woman’s homeless status and maternal morbidity. Descriptive statistics and logistical regression tests will be used to analyze these relationships while controlling for other structural, interpersonal, and individual factors that may be associated with maternal morbidity. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Qualitatively we expect to gain insight into the relationship between the extrinsic and intrinsic factors impacting maternal morbidities and the health behaviors and practices used by women to manage their pregnancy while homeless. These findings will inform the quantitative survey development and help generalize the quantitative findings. We expect to identify the common morbidities in this population we anticipate that there will be differences in maternal morbidity among the different types of homelessness. Maternal morbidity will be higher among women with a greater degree of homelessness. Resilience will have a moderating effect on the relationship between homelessness and maternal morbidity. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This study, to our knowledge, is the first to look at maternal morbidity in this population. Additionally, this study seeks to move current research from examining infant outcomes at birth among mothers experiencing homelessness to understanding the maternal morbidities during this period. Long term, good maternal health has significant implications for the health of a mother’s future pregnancies and a risk reduction of adverse chronic conditions. Study results will provide the preliminary knowledge needed to guide further research leading to clinical approaches that promote better maternal health in this population. Lastly, the study findings will inform policy by characterizing the quality and strength of evidence of the adverse maternal health effects associated with the experience of homelessness.