First We Have to Engage Them: A Mixed Methods Assessment of Low-Income Parents' Preferences for and Barriers to Receiving Child Health Promotion Information

J Pediatr Health Care. 2015 Nov-Dec;29(6):501-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2015.03.001. Epub 2015 Apr 1.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study is to understand low-income parents' preferences for and barriers to receiving child health promotion information.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used. Data were collected in an urban pediatric primary care setting serving predominantly low-income African American families. Parents (n = 190) of 3- to 8-year-old children completed a survey; a randomly selected subset participated in focus groups.

Results: The quantitative and qualitative samples differed with regard to whether they would like to get parenting information from their doctors. The most commonly cited obstacles to attending parenting classes were time (50.6%), work schedule (40.6%), transportation (37.7%), and own health (22.4%).

Discussion: New and creative methods are needed to promote child health and development that do not increase the burden associated with raising children in the context of limited resources.

Keywords: Health promotion; health education; low-income families; parenting; primary care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parenting
  • Parents / education*
  • Parents / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Preference
  • Pediatrics*
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Poverty*
  • Primary Health Care*