PROGRAM'S FOCUS IS INFANT MORTALITY

A new program of the Missouri Health Department is aimed at reducing infant mortality rates in the Bootheel.

The rate of infant deaths, especially minority infants, in the Bootheel is among the highest in the state, said B.J. Whiffen, who coordinates the new program: "Healthy Mothers, Healthy Fathers, Healthy Babies."

It has been introduced in five Southeast Missouri counties Scott, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid and Pemiscot and operates through health departments in each county.

Whiffen said the five counties with the highest infant mortality rates were targeted.

In 1989, the most recent figures available, Missouri's infant mortality rate was 9.9 percent. The rates for the target counties were: Scott County, 15.5; Dunklin, 15.4; Mississippi, 13.5; New Madrid, 3.4; and Pemiscot, 12.2.

She said the program focuses on young, pregnant women and attempts to get them early prenatal care. The program also targets minorities and the poor in the targeted counties, although it is open to anyone.

"The reason we focused on minorities is because the minority infant mortality rates are so high. More black babies are dying than white babies."

Whiffen said the program is an outreach program.

The key element in the project's success is home visits, Whiffen said. Caseworkers go to the women's homes to offer support.

"Many don't have phones. So, if they miss a doctor's appointment or something, we go out and track them down."

The outreach worker finds out what problem the individual is facing transportation, money, or some other and then tries to find a way to get what the person needs, Whiffen said.

The program began in January. Over 300 clients are enrolled.

"Its a good program and it's needed," Whiffen said. "The infant mortality rate is high, the number of teenage pregnancies is high, and the people getting proper prenatal care is low," she said.

She said proper prenatal care is one way to reduce the risk of infant death.

"Many of these women never see a doctor until they are six- or seven-months pregnant. Many haven't been eating right or they may have problems which haven't been detected. Poverty also is a big problem for them."

She said doctors to provide prenatal care are also scarce in the Bootheel.

"There is no free prenatal clinic. The care is not there. We try to find a doctor even if its in Cape or Poplar Bluff. Then we try to find a way to get them there and then make sure they keep going."

Whiffen said it may take five years to see any statistical change in infant mortality rates. "But we see little results; just getting the girls to the doctor is a big success."

In addition to the home visits, Whiffen said the program provides for educational programs and classes. Information is available about family planning, birth control, immunization, infant care and feeding for women and men.

"We give them information, education or referral," Whiffen said.

For more information, call B.J. Wiffen, program coordinator at 785-9633, or Phyllis Rowe at Scott County Health Department, 545-3583.