Abstract
Maternal mortality in the United States (US) is a problem of growing concern. In 2021 maternal mortality accounted for 32.9 deaths per 100,000 with non-Hispanic Black clients having a mortality rate of 2.6 times higher than non-Hispanic Whites. Of utmost concern, is the determination that over 80% of pregnancy related deaths were preventable. With the growing press around this topic, the authors sought to analyze the public’s perceived root causes for the increase in poor maternal outcomes. As maternal/ child experts, the authors know that client perception may not always be medically reliable; therefore, this study aims to gain understanding from public opinion to analyze if public perceptions of harm are more systemic or individual towards provider competence. Social media is an emerging source of data since it is readily available, free, contains large data sets, convenient, and a safe space for contributors to discuss openly. R/Science, a subcommunity on Reddit, was used to analyze the member’s perceptions of the root causes towards the maternal mortality rates. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis approaches were utilized to code comments using the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) conceptual framework and social ecological model as a theoretical framework in theme identification. Interrater reliability resulted in kappa = 1 across codes. Themes identified included Health and Wealth. Complete analysis shows support for further research that involves understanding systematic issues beyond individual decisions. Specifically, promoting targeted education and early interventions towards maternal mortality risks designed for individual persons, healthcare providers, and communities.
Sigma Membership
Pi Theta
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health, Public andcommunity health, Policy/advocacy
Recommended Citation
Richardson, Emily and McCann, Rebecca, "“Overpriced & Over Dosed”: Thematic Analysis of Perceived Root Causes of US Maternal Mortality Rate" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 4.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/4
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
“Overpriced & Over Dosed”: Thematic Analysis of Perceived Root Causes of US Maternal Mortality Rate
Seattle, Washington, USA
Maternal mortality in the United States (US) is a problem of growing concern. In 2021 maternal mortality accounted for 32.9 deaths per 100,000 with non-Hispanic Black clients having a mortality rate of 2.6 times higher than non-Hispanic Whites. Of utmost concern, is the determination that over 80% of pregnancy related deaths were preventable. With the growing press around this topic, the authors sought to analyze the public’s perceived root causes for the increase in poor maternal outcomes. As maternal/ child experts, the authors know that client perception may not always be medically reliable; therefore, this study aims to gain understanding from public opinion to analyze if public perceptions of harm are more systemic or individual towards provider competence. Social media is an emerging source of data since it is readily available, free, contains large data sets, convenient, and a safe space for contributors to discuss openly. R/Science, a subcommunity on Reddit, was used to analyze the member’s perceptions of the root causes towards the maternal mortality rates. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis approaches were utilized to code comments using the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) conceptual framework and social ecological model as a theoretical framework in theme identification. Interrater reliability resulted in kappa = 1 across codes. Themes identified included Health and Wealth. Complete analysis shows support for further research that involves understanding systematic issues beyond individual decisions. Specifically, promoting targeted education and early interventions towards maternal mortality risks designed for individual persons, healthcare providers, and communities.
Description
This study aims to explore public perceptions of maternal mortality rates from r/science subcommunity on Reddit. Thematic Analysis was used to analyze whether the public perceives maternal mortality as a systemic or provider competence concern. Utilizing social determinants of health and social ecological model, themes related to access and affordability of care were identified. Results support improving communication, advocacy, and promoting targeted education towards maternal mortality risks.