From Evidence to Experience: Centering Black Women’s Lived Realities in Maternal Health Interventions

KEY INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCHER(S) AND THIS STUDY
Study Title: From Evidence to Experience: Centering Black Women’s Lived Realities in Maternal Health
Study Sponsor: N/A
Principal Investigator: Maliyka A. Muhammad, MA, MPH,
Department of Health Sciences, University of Bridgeport

Invitation to be Part of a Research Study
You are invited to take part in this research study. You are invited to be in this study because you self-identify as a cisgender Black woman between the ages of 18 and 50 who has given birth within the past 10 years and either currently lives in New York or Georgia or lived in one of those states at the time of your most recent birth. Taking part in this research study is voluntary.

Things you should know:

· The purpose of the research study is to better understand cisgender Black women’s lived experiences with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care to inform more equitable maternal health interventions and policies. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey about your healthcare experience. The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. You may also choose to volunteer for a separate interview that lasts approximately 45-60 minutes.

· Risks or discomforts from this research may include emotional discomfort when reflecting on personal experiences related to pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, or experiences of racism. You may skip any question or stop participating at any time.

· The study will contribute to improved maternal health practices, interventions, and policies that better reflect Black women’s lived experiences.

· Taking part in this research study is voluntary. You don’t have to participate, and you can stop at any time. Whatever you decide will not be held against you.

Please take the time to read this entire form and ask questions before deciding whether to take part in this research study.

PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY

What is the research study about, and why are we conducting it?
This research study examines cisgender Black women’s lived experiences with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. Although maternal health disparities affecting Black women are well documented, there is a limited amount of research that centers on Black women’s own perspectives on how healthcare systems, provider interactions, structural barriers, and experiences of racism shape maternal outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to better understand how Black women describe their interactions with healthcare providers, access to care, postpartum support, and system-level influences during pregnancy and birth. By collecting both survey and interview data, this research seeks to identify gaps between existing maternal health interventions and the realities experienced by Black women.

Findings from this study may help inform more equitable maternal health practices, community-based interventions, and policy development to improve care experiences and outcomes.

How long will the research last?
We expect that you will be in this research study for approximately 15–20 minutes to complete the online survey. If you choose to participate in the optional interview, that session will last approximately 45–60 minutes. No follow-up sessions or additional study visits are required.

How many people will be studied?
We expect about 250 people in this research study, out of 250 in the entire study, to reside in New York or Georgia, United States. We expect that you will be in this research study for approximately 15–20 minutes to complete the online survey. If you choose to participate in the optional interview, that session will last approximately 45–60 minutes.

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY
What happens if I say, "Yes, I want to be in this research?"
If you agree to take part in this study, you will first complete an anonymous online survey. The survey will ask questions about your experiences with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. This includes questions about:

• Your interactions with healthcare providers
• Whether you felt listened to or respected
• Access to care (insurance, transportation, scheduling)
• Experiences of support or stress during pregnancy
• Whether you experienced racial discrimination
• Information you received about postpartum warning signs

The survey includes multiple-choice and rating-scale questions, as well as a few optional open-ended questions to share more about your experience. The survey will take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. You may skip any question you feel uncomfortable answering. Survey responses are anonymous. If you choose to enter the gift card raffle, your contact information will be collected through a separate form and will not be linked to your survey responses.

At the end of the survey, you may choose to volunteer for a separate individual interview. The interview will last approximately 45–60 minutes, provided you agree and are selected.

The interview will include open-ended questions about:

• Your overall pregnancy and birth experience
• Moments when you felt heard or dismissed
• Barriers you faced in accessing care
• Experiences related to race or identity
• Postpartum support and safety
• Suggestions for improving maternal healthcare

Interviews may be conducted via Zoom, telephone, or in person in New York at a mutually agreed-upon private location. With your permission, the interview will be audio recorded for transcription purposes only. No video recording or photography will be used. You may decline to answer any question and may stop the interview at any time.

Additional Information

• No drugs, biologics, or medical devices will be used in this study.
• No blood will be taken.
• No hospital visits or medical procedures are part of this research.
• There are no follow-up visits required.
• This research is separate from your medical care and will not affect your healthcare services.
• Information collected in this study will not be linked to medical records, HIPAA-protected health information, or administrative databases.

What happens if I say, "No, I do not want to be in this research?"
You may decide not to take part in the research, and it will not be held against you.

What if I say yes and then later change my mind?
You can agree to take part in the research now. You may stop at any time, and it will not be held against you.

INFORMATION ABOUT STUDY RISKS AND BENEFITS
Is there any way being in this study could be detrimental for me?
There are no physical risks associated with this study because no medical procedures, drugs, or devices are involved. However, participation carries minimal risk. Some of the questions ask about personal experiences with pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and experiences of racism. Reflecting on these experiences may cause emotional discomfort, distress, or frustration. You may skip any question you do not wish to answer and may stop your participation at any time.

There is also a potential risk of loss of confidentiality. Every effort will be made to protect your information through secure data storage, de-identification procedures, and separation of consent documents from research data. However, confidentiality cannot be absolutely guaranteed.

A possible inconvenience is the time required to complete the survey (approximately 15–20 minutes) and, if applicable, the optional interview (approximately 45–60 minutes).

There are no known legal, social, economic, or medical risks associated with this research beyond those described above.

Will being in this study help me in any way?
You may not directly benefit from participating in this study. However, your participation may help researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers better understand Black women’s lived experiences with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. The information gathered may contribute to improved maternal health practices, interventions, and policies that better address the needs of Black women. We cannot promise that you or others will receive direct benefits from this research

CONFIDENTIALITY OF SUBJECT RECORDS

What happens to the information you collect?
Efforts will be made to limit access to your personal information to those with a legitimate need to review it. However, complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

Organizations that may review research records include the University of Bridgeport Institutional Review Board (IRB) and authorized university representatives for oversight purposes.

How Your Information Will Be Protected
Survey responses will be collected anonymously through SurveyMonkey. The survey will not collect names or directly identifying information. IP address tracking will be disabled. If you choose to enter the gift card raffle, your contact information will be collected through a separate form and will not be linked to your survey responses.

For participants who complete interviews:

• Interviews will be audio recorded only with your permission.
• Recordings will be labeled with a participant code rather than your name.
• Any identifying details (such as names, hospitals, or locations) will be removed during transcription.
• Signed consent forms will be stored separately from interview data.

Data Storage
Electronic research data will be downloaded from SurveyMonkey and stored in encrypted, password-protected files accessible only to the principal investigator. Any computer used to store research data will be password-protected.

If paper consent forms are collected for in-person interviews, they will be stored in a locked storage container in the principal investigator's secure home office. Only the principal investigator will have access. Audio recordings will be deleted after transcription and verification. All study records will be retained for the required regulatory period and then securely destroyed.

Publication of Results
The results of this study may be presented in publications, presentations, or reports. Information will be reported in summary form. You will not be identified in any publication or presentation.

Future Use of Data
Your identifiable information collected for this research study will not be used or distributed to other investigators for future research studies.

Can I be removed from the research without my OK?
The person in charge of the research study or the sponsor can remove you from the research study without your approval. Possible reasons for removal include failure to meet eligibility criteria, withdrawal of consent, incomplete survey submission, or discontinuation of the study. The researcher may also end the research study early if needed.

What else do I need to know?
The research study
The research study involves no more than minimal risk. The research study involves minimal risk, meaning that the anticipated probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort are not greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life and that confidentiality is adequately protected.

Participants will

Participants will receive a raffle entry for a chance to win one of five (5) $25 gift cards by participating in the survey. Entry into the raffle is voluntary and will be collected via a separate form not linked to survey responses. ¹

We will tell you about any new information that may affect your health, welfare, or choice to stay in the research.

This study does not involve the collection of biospecimens. Your identifiable information will not be used for commercial profit.



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CONTACT INFORMATION
Who can I talk to?
Take as long as you like before you make a decision. We will be happy to answer any questions you have about this study.

If you have questions about this research (e.g., concerns, complaints, or think the research has hurt you), you may contact the following:

Maliyka A. Muhammad, MA, MPH
Principal Investigator
347-441-0316
mamuhamm@my.bridgeport.edu

Jewel W. Williams, DHSc
Faculty Advisor
jewwill@bridgeport.edu

This research has been reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant or wish to obtain information, ask questions, or discuss any concerns about this study with someone who is not a part of the research team, you may contact the University of Bridgeport IRB Administrator at irb@bridgeport.edu.

RECORD OF INFORMATION PROVIDED
What documents will be given to me?

Your signature in the next section means that you have received copies of all of the following documents:

• This is the “UB Consent to be Part of a Research Study” document.

By selecting "Yes" below, you are indicating that you have read and understood the information above and agree to participate in this study.