Conference Abstract Compendium Examples from the ... - CityMatCH

2009 CityMatCH Urban MCH Leadership Conferenceand IM fell from 10.8 per 1,000 live births (95%CI=8.1,14.1) to 8.7 per 1,000 (95%CI=4.9,14.3).In non-NOHS-CA from 2004 to 2006, LBW remained stable at 13.1% (95%CI=11.6%,14.7%) and 13.2%(95%CI=11.1%,15.6%), PTB fell from 15.9% (95%CI=14.3%,17.6%) to 14.7% (95%CI=12.4%,17.2%),and IM rose from 7.3 per 1,000 (95%CI=4.0,12.2) to 10.0 per 1,000 (95%CI=4.6,18.9). It is clear thatNew Orleans has experienced changes since Hurricane Katrina, especially in the number of reportedbirths to residents. However, these results fail to show statistically significant differences for the birthoutcomes of LBW, PTB, or IM, indicated by overlapping confidence intervals for each area between thetwo time periods 2004 and 2006.LIMITATIONSLack of statistically significant findings may be due to small numbers, evidenced by wide confidenceintervals for many measures. Despite lack of statistical significance, meaningful differences likely exist.Additional years of post-hurricane data would help clarify the interpretation of possible changes in birthoutcomes.CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONSOver three years after Hurricane Katrina, there is no statistical evidence that birth outcomes have changedsignificantly in New Orleans, either in previously defined high-risk geographical areas or former lowerrisk areas. However, the differences reported between the two time periods are likely meaningful, despitelack of statistical significance. Programs with targeted geographic reach such as HSNO who use vitalrecords data for program planning after a major disaster may find it difficult to balance apparent changesin birth outcomes with a lack of statistically significant findings. Proper interpretation of data, includingconsideration of sample size issues, is key to effectively guiding future program direction.102