Evaluating the Implementation and Outcomes of a Community‐Based Doula Program in Washington State: A Mixed‐Methods Analysis.

Background: Community‐based doulas, who provide nonclinical perinatal support and are often from the same communities as the families they serve, are increasingly recognized as a strategy to ameliorate racialized perinatal health inequities. However, little is known about the successful implementati...

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Publicado en:Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 219 - 231
Autores principales: Riley, Taylor, Buchanan, Zeruiah V., Perera, Dila, Brickell, Kate Wilhite, Turrietta, Cynthia, Teal, Janae, Bess, Jami, Celis, Margarita, Egal, Hawa, Gladstone, Memorie, Hernandez, Betty, Prioleau, Vonda, Sharif, Mienah Z.
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Jun2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2025
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
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        atl: Evaluating the Implementation and Outcomes of a Community‐Based Doula Program in Washington State: A Mixed‐Methods Analysis.
      aug:
        au:
          Riley, Taylor
          Buchanan, Zeruiah V.
          Perera, Dila
          Brickell, Kate Wilhite
          Turrietta, Cynthia
          Teal, Janae
          Bess, Jami
          Celis, Margarita
          Egal, Hawa
          Gladstone, Memorie
          Hernandez, Betty
          Prioleau, Vonda
          Sharif, Mienah Z.
        affil: Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle Washington,, USA
      sug:
        subj:
          Doulas
          Community Programs Washington
          Program Evaluation
          Program Implementation
          Community Health Services
          Perinatal Care
          Human
          Female
          Washington
          Multimethod Studies
          Interviews
          Audiorecording
          Thematic Analysis
          Female
      ab: Background: Community‐based doulas, who provide nonclinical perinatal support and are often from the same communities as the families they serve, are increasingly recognized as a strategy to ameliorate racialized perinatal health inequities. However, little is known about the successful implementation and sustainability of community‐based doula programs. Methods: Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, we examined the implementation and health outcomes of a community‐based doula program serving low‐income families and the barriers and facilitators that influence these outcomes. We analyzed programmatic and health outcome data among all families enrolled in the program from January 2016 through December 2022. Four in‐depth listening sessions with the program's direct service providers were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Among the over 1800 families served, the majority of whom identified as either Asian, Black, Indigenous, Latina/e/x, or multiracial, there were 14,672 total home visits that totaled 17,774 h. Over $87,000 in direct funds and 7000 tangible items (e.g., diapers) were dispersed to families. Preterm birth ranged from 4% to 9% across programs and most participants (> 94%) were breastfeeding/chestfeeding at birth. Direct service providers identified holistic, culturally‐matched services and "doula‐ing the doula" (organizational infrastructure to support doulas) as facilitators. Barriers included the intersecting systems of oppression that underlie the primary challenges faced by birthing families and direct service providers, including lack of community resources and power asymmetries within birth settings, that can lead to provider burnout. Conclusions: These findings document the positive impact of community‐based doula programs and bolster calls for increased compensation and structural supports for doulas.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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