Characteristics of vulnerable women and their association with participation in a Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program site in Toronto, Canada

Abstract

IntroductionThe Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) supports community organizations to provide maternal–infant health services for socially/economically vulnerable women. As part of our research program exploring opportunities to provide postnatal breastfeeding support through the CPNP, we investigated the sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics of clients enrolled in a Toronto CPNP site and explored associations with participation. MethodsData were collected retrospectively from the charts of 339 women registered in one southwest Toronto CPNP site from 2013 to 2016. Multivariable regression analyses were used to assess associations between 10 maternal characteristics and three dimensions of prenatal program participation: initiation (gestational age at enrolment in weeks), intensity (number of times one-on-one supports were received) and duration (number of visits). ResultsThe mean (SD) age of clients was 31 (5.7) years; 80% were born outside of Canada; 29% were single; and 65% had household incomes below the Statistics Canada family size-adjusted low-income cut-offs. Income was the only characteristic associated with all dimensions of participation. Compared to clients living above the low-income cut-off, those living below the low-income cut-off enrolled in the program 2.85 weeks earlier (95% CI: −5.55 to −0.16), had 1.29 times higher number of one-on-one supports (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.61) and had 1.29 times higher number of program visits (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.63). ConclusionOur findings show that this CPNP site serves vulnerable women, with few differences in participation based on maternal characteristics. This evidence can guide service provision and monitoring decisions at this program site. Further research is needed to explore new program delivery models to enhance perinatal services for vulnerable women.