Reducing Infant Mortality in Arkansas: A Grassroots Initiative Utilizing African-American Sororities

BACKGROUND: Arkansas’ mortality rate is higher than the national average: 7.0 per 1,000 live births to the 6.1 for the United States. Arkansas’ mortality rate for non-Hispanic African- American infants is more than twice (12.2) that of non-Hispanic white infants (6.0). Rates are significantly higher for African-American babies born with <2,500 grams weight or <36 weeks gestational age, compared to white babies born with the same risk factors. The objective of this study was to increase awareness of infant mortality risk and protective factors in the African American communities of Arkansas by utilizing trained African American Graduate Sorority members.

METHODS: A panel of experts, who were also narrators in the video, helped develop the educational video, which highlighted importance of folic acid intake before/during pregnancy, influenza vaccination during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and safe sleep. ADH epidemiologist developed pre and post surveys to assess knowledge change. Trained sorority members, in turn, conducted video based education and administered surveys in their respective communities. Pre and Post survey data was analyzed using McNemar’s Test for Correlated Proportions.

RESULTS: The pre and post testing showed significant increases in attendees’ knowledge in topic areas – influenza vaccination, folic acid intake, safe sleep position of the baby, and safe sleep location of baby to prevent injury.

CONCLUSIONS: African American sorority members can be successfully utilized in conducting grass roots educational interventions in their respective communities, because African Americans trust their leadership and teaching.