Infant Mortality Needs Assessment for Fairborn, Ohio

Context Fairborn is a city in Greene County, Ohio. This project is based on a grant given to provide infant mortality health education and promotion interventions to low-income families at Hawthorne Landing, an apartment complex in Fairborn.

Objective This needs assessment aims to use available data and survey data to identify the needs of residents of Fairborn, OH and compare factors that can potentially influence their infant mortality rates with Greene County and Ohio.

Study Design This study utilized a combination of qualitative and quantitative design to perform a needs assessment of Fairborn, Ohio. Data sources include the Hawthorn Landing survey, Greene County 2018 – 2020 birth data, 2020 and 2021 US Census Bureau, Ohio Infant Mortality Annual Report 2020, and the Greene County 2020 Health Assessment. The health characteristics and risk factors of infant mortality of Ohio, Greene County and Fairborn residents were compared using frequencies and proportions. Measures that were analyzed include substance use, access to healthcare, pre-pregnancy maternal health conditions, depression, low birth rate, and gestation age.

Setting or Dataset The setting is Hawthorn Landing in Fairborn, OH. Other data sources included Greene County birth data, the 2020 Ohio Infant Mortality Annual Report, the 2020 Greene County Health Assessment, and the 2020 US Census Bureau.

Population Studied Residents of Greene County

Intervention/Instrument An electronic survey was developed for residents of Hawthorn Landing in Fairborn, OH. The survey included questions about the demographic characteristics of residents and what health topics they would like to learn more about.

Outcome Measures The analyzed measures include Smoking and Substance Use, Access to Healthcare, Pre-pregnancy Maternal Health Conditions, Depression, Low Birth Rate, and Gestation Age. These measures were selected because they are risk factors for infant mortality and can be used to determine the health status of Fairborn residents.

Results The study highlighted disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, such as higher rates of smoking during pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and low birth weight among Black infants, particularly in Ohio.

Conclusion The needs assessment carried out in Fairborn, Ohio revealed public health issues, such as substance use, pre-pregnancy maternal health conditions, depression, low birth weight, and pre-term birth.