Citation

McFarlane JM, Wiist W. J. Community Health Nurs. 1997; 14(4): 237-249.

Affiliation

College of Nursing, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9409094

Abstract

This article reports on the process of implementing a "mentor mother" advocacy model for pregnant abused women. The basis of information came from a study conducted from research concerning advocacy programs for abused women, existing shelter and program models that used community outreach home visitation for pregnant women. The information that was gathered from this study was used to develop and implement an advocacy model specific to pregnant abused women receiving prenatal care in public health clinics. The advocates termed mentor mothers, lived in community service areas of the public health clinics and offered the pregnant abused women social support, education, and assistance in receiving the community resources needed to prevent future abuse and promote a healthy pregnancy. The effectiveness of the advocacy intervention was measured as contact successes rate, number and type of advocacy program. The mentor mother advocates were successful in contacting the abused woman, regardless of the method of contact employed. The mean average number of advocacy contacts was 9.2, with the majority contacted through the telephone. The mean average number of referrals per woman was 8.6, with the largest percentage being for medical services.

Language: en