Maternal health challenges, particularly preeclampsia, have been on the rise in Texas since 2017, leading to serious risks for both mothers and babies. Contributing factors such as obesity, hypertension, poverty, and lack of health insurance in the Texas Panhandle further increase these risks.
As the VIBRANT MOMS Project moves into its next phase, our focus shifts from research to implementation. We are partnering with Amarillo Public Health to conduct a new maternal health survey, which will help us better understand the needs of our community. The data collected will guide our strategies for preeclampsia awareness and prevention, ensuring that our efforts are both effective and impactful.
​
Your participation is essential in shaping these initiatives—help us make a difference!
The VIBRANT MOMS Coalition invites everyone in the community to be part of this important conversation! Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, healthcare provider, community leader, or simply passionate about maternal health, your voice matters.
Join us to hear about key insights from our Phase I data, highlights on the progress we’ve made and plans for Phase II of the VIBRANT MOMS Project. This is your opportunity to stay informed, ask questions, and be part of the next steps in strengthening maternal health in Deaf Smith, Gray, Parmer, Potter, Randall, and Swisher counties.
Thursday, April 17th, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm https://ttuhsc.zoom.us/j/96652132768
Previous Data Collection Methods
A key informant in research is an individual who possesses specialized knowledge or expertise on a particular topic or within a specific community. These individuals are often identified based on their firsthand experience, professional background, or unique insights relevant to the research area. Key informants play a crucial role in providing in-depth information, perspective, and context that may not be readily available through other sources. They are typically interviewed or consulted by researchers to gain deeper understanding, validate findings, or identify important issues within the research domain.
Photo voice is a research method that empowers participants to share their perspectives, experiences, and insights through photography. Participants are given cameras or smartphones to capture images that represent their lived experiences, challenges, or aspirations related to a particular topic or issue. These photographs are then used as prompts for group discussions or individual interviews, allowing participants to narrate the stories behind the images and articulate their thoughts and emotions. Photo voice enables participants, often marginalized or underrepresented groups, to express themselves visually, fostering empowerment, advocacy, and community engagement in the research process.
A focus group is a research method where a small, diverse group of people is brought together to discuss and share their opinions, attitudes, and experiences on a specific topic under the guidance of a moderator. The purpose is to gather qualitative data and insights, exploring different perspectives and uncovering common themes or differences within the group. Focus groups are often used in market research, product development, and social science studies to understand people's behaviors, preferences, and motivations.
Community members and partners play a crucial role in research by offering invaluable insights, perspectives, and expertise that enrich the research process and outcomes. Their involvement ensures that research is relevant, culturally appropriate, and responsive to the needs and priorities of the community. Community members may participate as collaborators, advisors, or participants, contributing their lived experiences and local knowledge to shape research questions, methodologies, and interpretations. By actively engaging community members in all stages of the research, from planning and data collection to analysis and dissemination, researchers can build trust, foster empowerment, and promote equity in the research process. Ultimately, the meaningful involvement of community members and partners not only enhances the quality and relevance of research but also strengthens community capacity, resilience, and well-being.