Center for Collaborative Research in Minority Health and Health Disparities (1)

PROJECT SUMMARY /Abstract: According to literature pregnant women are at a greater risk for exposure and death during emergencies. The overall purpose of this proposed study will be to assess and describe how the isolation and physical distancing measures related to the current Coronavirus pandemic have affected pregnant women and mothers of children 12 months or younger in Puerto Rico. The specific aims of the proposed project are: 1) Examine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in pregnancy related experiences and outcomes; 2) Examine the mental health impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in pregnant women and mothers of children 12 months or younger; and 3) Identify risk and protective factors of pregnant women and mothers of children 12 months or younger in the COVID-19 outbreak. Participants will be recruited from the Puerto Rico Test-site for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) consortium cohort which is composed of pregnant women and mothers from the northwestern region of Puerto Rico that studies the effects of exposure to contaminants and preterm birth and other birth outcomes. The research will have two-phased mixed methods approach with an online-based quantitative survey and a series of individual semi-structured qualitative interviews. Results from the study will provide anassessment of the COVID-19 impact on pregnancy outcomes, mental health status as well as identify risk and protective individual and contextual factors among pregnant women and mothers of children 12 months or younger. The study findings will provide greater insight into the experiences and needs of Latino Hispanic pregnant women and mothers of children 12 months or younger during pandemics. We expect that the findings can lead to the development of interventions for community health centers around the island and also to the creation of evidence-based protocols aimed at the Puerto Rican population.