SUNY Potsdam Professor and Student Conduct Community Health Survey on Prenatal Care

POTSDAM, NY (03/30/2015)(readMedia)-- A professor and student at SUNY Potsdam are conducting a study, funded by the Kilmer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship program, to examine prenatal care knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of women residing in the North Country.

Dr. Kelly Bonnar and Maria Gonzalez of the College's Department of Community Health are surveying Northern New York residents to determine what factors affect initiation of prenatal care.

The data obtained from the study will support initiatives to raise awareness of the benefits of prenatal care in rural, low-income neighborhoods, and help researchers understand the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs that may prevent women from initiating early prenatal care.

The survey takes no longer than 20 minutes to complete, and participation is completely voluntary.

To participate, Northern New York residents can directly access the survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/AssessingPrenatalCareFactors.

Information about the study and survey can also be found at

www.facebook.com/AssessingPrenatalCareFactors.

Residents can also call the researchers to obtain a paper copy of the survey, at (315) 267-3188.

One of the overall goals of the community health field is to be proactive, creating a sense of overall wellbeing within communities, by providing programs that focus on illness and injury prevention. The SUNY Potsdam Department of Community Health offers both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in community health, as well as minors in community health, fitness, nutrition, sexual health, therapeutic recreation and wilderness education. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/CommunityHealth.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,300 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community recently launched Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which aims to raise $32 million by the College's bicentennial in 2016.

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