Postpartum Well-Visit Attendance: How Residential Distance and Social Determinants of Health May Be Associated With Care [ID 1066]

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum well visits are important touch-points to prevent maternal mortality, identify postpartum mood disorders, and ensure maternal wellness. However, attendance rates are low. We examine factors associated with 2- and 6-week postpartum well-visit attendance in a high-risk, inner-city sample. METHODS: We gathered electronic medical record data from September 1, 2020, to March 30, 2022. Information included demographic, social determinants of health (SDoH), residential distance from hospital, type of delivery, delivery complications, and medical comorbidities. We used descriptive and multivariable logistic regressions to predict attendance. RESULTS: Of 3,684 births, 53.5% identified as Black and 70.3% used public health insurance. Attendance rates were 79.7% for the 2-week and 72.3% for the 6-week postpartum visit. In multivariable logistic regression, Black race (odds ratio [OR] 1.48; 95% CI, 1.17–1.89), cesarean delivery (OR 1.23; 95% 1.02–1.49), and elevated SDoH risk (OR 1.98; 95% CI, 1.42–2.75), were associated with elevated odds of 6-week visit attendance whereas public health insurance (OR 0.61; 95% CI, 0.50–0.74) and living further from the hospital (OR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.60–0.85) were associated with decreased odds of attendance. Parallel findings were identified predicting 2-week visit attendance. Rates of attendance for both 2- and 6-week visits were significantly higher for telemedicine compared to in-person, (eg, X2(1)=197.13, P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Provider knowledge of barriers such as residential distance to the hospital may spur creative patient support including utilizing telemedicine in the postpartum period.