Low Birth-Weight in Newham: Parents' and professionals' experiences

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Parents' and health professionals' views and experiences of low birth-weight babies in Newham.

  • IRAS ID

    178264

  • Contact name

    Angela Harden

  • Contact email

    a.harden@uel.ac.uk

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    This study aims to provide greater understanding about low birth-weight in Newham from the perspective of parents who have had one or more low birth-weight babies, and the health and social care professionals who care for them. Newham has a high rate of low-birth weight babies in comparison to the rest of England. Researchers will carry out individual interviews with parents and relatives of low birth-weight babies, and group interviews with health and social care professionals and commissioners. Interview topics will include birth experiences, care in pregnancy and access to antenatal classes, diet and health in pregnancy, preconception care, and baby feeding and weaning.

    This study is part of a wider two year programme of research and intervention to address problems found. A Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group has been set up to support all stages of the study. In larger "World Café" community meetings, members of the public will discuss project findings and help to decide what interventions are needed. The qualitative interviews will provide rich and detailed accounts of people's experiences, which will explore some of the circumstances that influence low birth weight and point to ways in which families could receive better support to deal with them.

  • REC name

    London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    15/LO/1008

  • Date of REC Opinion

    30 Jun 2015

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion