Top

Maternal and Child Health Journal

Published in:

17-11-2023

Sociocultural and Geographic Factors Influencing the Health and Development of Young Children in Washington, District of Columbia

Authors: Rochelle Logan, Jennifer Marshall, Roneé Wilson, Tabitha Temple

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Objectives

The first 5 years of life are critical to children’s health and development. Sociocultural and environmental factors play a prominent role as do variations in the quality of resources available. The objective of this study, grounded in Asset Based Community Development and the Model of Children’s Health and its Influences, was to identify and understand these factors through the lens of parents living in predominantly African-American low-income communities within Washington, DC.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative study employed semi-structured virtual interviews to discuss parents’ priorities and challenges in raising their children.

Results

Participants relayed perceptions of community assets as well as struggles with access to care, proper nutrition, and police activity within their communities. Results were presented to apprise community partners and encourage modifications in program delivery to enhance community resources.

Conclusions for Practice

Lived experiences voiced by underrepresented parents can potentially inform design of community-centered programing. Policymakers must take into account community strengths and weaknesses during the development of community services. Due to inequities in childhood health outcomes, it is imperative that policymakers receive information from parents to make informed decisions.

Available only for authorised users

Aisenberg, E. (2001). The effects of exposure to community violence upon Latina mothers and preschool children. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 23(4), 378–398.

Amissah-Essel, S. (2020). Assessment of institutional health and safety practices of early years schools in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana: A mixed methods approach. Ghana Medical Journal, 54(2), 93–99. https://doi.org/10.4314/gmj.v54i2.7CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Anderson, L., et al. (2003). The effectiveness of early Childhood Development Programs: A systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 24(3S), 32–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(02)00655-4CrossRefPubMed

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1986). Ecology of the family as a context for human development: Research perspectives. Developmental Psychology, 22(6), 723–742. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.22.6.723CrossRef

Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing Grounded Theory. Sage.

Cheng, T., & Goodman, E. (2013). Race ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status in Research on Child Health. The American Academy of Pediatrics, 0031–4005. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-3109

Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative. (2021). Fast facts: 2020 National survey of children’s health. Washington, DC: Data Resource Center. Retrieved from http://childhealthdata.org/docs/nsch-docs/2007_fast_facts_508-pdf

Clinton, J., Feller, A., & Williams, R. (2016). The importance of infant mental health. Paediatrics & Child Health, 24(7), 239–241. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/21.5.239CrossRef

Zippel, C. (2016). DC’s public housing: An important resource at risk. DC Fiscal Policy Institute. Available at https://www.dcfpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/16-01-27-Public-housing-paper-final.pdf

Flores, G., Kopp, B., Tomany-Korman, S., & Olson, L. (2005). Does Disadvantage Start at Home? Racial and ethnic disparities in Health-related early Childhood Home routines and Safety practices. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 159, 158–165.CrossRefPubMed

Green, M., Stritzel, H., Smith, C., Popham, F., & Crosnoe, R. (2018). Timing of poverty in childhood and adolescent health: Evidence from the US and UK. Social Science and Medicine, 197, 136–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.12.004CrossRefPubMed

Health Resources and Services Administration (2017). Home Visiting. Retrieved From: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/maternal-child-health-initiatives/home-visiting-overview

Logan, R. (2020). Interactive District Wide Asset Map. Available at https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1cQj3pwwO4iY0CqRfSX5jnqour92EE6vk&ll=38.89500950676679%2C-77.01372620000002&z=11

Mansfield, J., & Savaiano, D. (2017). Effect of school wellness policies and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act on food-consumption behaviors of students, 2006–2016: A systematic review. Nutrition Reviews, 75(7), 533–552. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nux020CrossRefPubMed

Mathie, A., & Cunningham, G. (2003). From clients to citizens: Asset-based Community Development as a strategy for community-driven development. Development in Practice, 13(5), 474–486. https://doi.org/10.1080/0961452032000125857CrossRef

Miller, R., Sullivan, M., Hawes, K., & Marks, A. (2009). The effects of perinatal morbidity and environmental factors on health status of preterm children at age 12. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 24(2), 101–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2008.02.031CrossRefPubMed

Miller, W., Sadegh-Nobari, T., & Lillie-Blanton, M. (2011). Healthy starts for all policy prescriptions. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 40(1S1), S19–S37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2010.10.001CrossRef

Morris, A., et al. (2017). Targeting parenting in early childhood: A Public Health Approach To Improve Outcomes for Children Living in Poverty. Child Development, 88(2), 388–397. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12743CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Oh, D., et al. (2018). Systematic review of pediatric health outcomes associated with childhood adversity. BMC Pediatrics, 18(83), https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-018-1037-7

Peyre, H., et al. (2019). Developmental trajectories of motor skills during the preschool period. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 28, 1461–1474. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-019-01311-xMathSciNetCrossRef

Robinson, L., et al. (2017). CDC Grand rounds: Addressing Health disparities in early childhood. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 66(29), 769–772.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Stevens, G. (2011). Gradients in the Health Status and Developmental risks of Young children: The combined influences of multiple social risk factors. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 10(2), 187–199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-005-0062-yCrossRef

Strickland, B., Jones, J., Ghandour, R., Kogan, M., & Newacheck, P. (2011). The Medical Home: Health Care Access and Impact for Children and Youth in the United States. Pediatrics, 604–611. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-355

U.S. Census Bureau (2016). American Community Survey 1-year estimates Census Reporter Profile page for District of Columbia, DC. Retrieved from: https://censusreporter.org/profiles/05000US11001-district-of-columbia-dc/

VERBI Software. (2021). MAXQDA 2022 [computer software]. VERBI Software. Available from maxqda.com.

Title: Sociocultural and Geographic Factors Influencing the Health and Development of Young Children in Washington, District of Columbia
Authors: Rochelle Logan
Jennifer Marshall
Roneé Wilson
Tabitha Temple
Publication date: 17-11-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-023-03834-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Sociocultural and Geographic Factors Influencing the Health and Development of Young Children in Washington, District of Columbia

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions for Practice

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions for Practice

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2024

Community-Level Factors are Predictors of Severe Maternal Morbidity Among American Indian and Alaska Native Pregnant People in the Pacific Northwest in a Multilevel Logistic Regression

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Developmental Delay in Young US Children

Addressing Perinatal Opioid Use at a Local Health Department in Florida

Safe Babies, Safe Moms: A Multifaceted, Trauma Informed Care Initiative

Preventing Job Burnout: Could Workplace Support Protect Maternal and Child Health Professionals Who Are Doing Public Health Equity Work?

Parent-Child Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from the American Time Use Survey