Date of Award

2026

Type

Thesis

Major

Health and Physical Education

Degree Type

Master of Public Health

Department

Kinesiology and Health Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Carlene Robinson

Second Advisor

Dr. Rebecca Toland

Abstract

The United States continues to have a significant concern for public health regarding the maternal morbidity and mortality rates. In contrast, women of African American descent and other marginalized populations maintain a disproportionately higher rate of pregnancy-related disparities. More specifically, in Georgia, a persistent number of disparities can correlate to a lack of access to adequate prenatal care, insurance status, and many other social determinants of health that are linked to the contribution of adverse maternal health care outcomes. The purpose of this research study is to evaluate various maternal health experiences during pregnancy, while focusing on the occurrence of pregnancy-related complications, the presence of adequate health care, and identifying any other structural factors that may influence maternal morbidity and mortality rates. A mixed-method approach was adopted to complete this research study, by utilizing both secondary analysis via hospital discharge data, alongside primary data collected via an anonymous survey conducted through QR code brochures. With the goal of identifying any patterns related to survey-reported complications, insurance type, and all demographic characteristics, the use of descriptive statistical methods was applied while collecting the necessary data. All data collected during the QR survey were used to support the existing quantitative data through self-reported maternal experiences and perspectives of pregnant women currently receiving prenatal care. The findings that resulted from this study should be seen as a contribution to broaden the understanding of maternal health disparities, specifically in Georgia, and provide a foundation for future public health interventions, maternal policy development, and advocate for the improvements of policies focused on maternal health outcomes.

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