ASPO Abstracts
The Hair Tales of Pregnant Women of Color in New York City
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as phthalates, can have negative fetal and maternal health outcomes, including an increased risk of fetal growth disruption and breast cancer. Notably, women of color are the largest consumers of personal care products, which are a main source of EDC exposure. The Let's Reclaim Our Ancestral Roots (Let's R.O.A.R) Study proposed a behavioral intervention during pregnancy to promote reduced use of phthalate-containing hair care products (HCPs). Here, we conducted a qualitative study through educational sessions and semi-structured focus groups to evaluate the factors that influenced the hair journey and product choices of women of color at various stages of life, including their current pregnancy. Of the 47 individuals who were eligible, consented, and enrolled in the study, 31 participated in an English or Spanish educational session discussing the adverse implications of using phthalate-containing HCPs. In a brief post-session focus group, we gathered feedback on the sessions and learned more about their hair journey. We had the English and Spanish sessions transcribed and reviewed for accuracy. We imported all transcripts into NVivo 12 to manage and analyze the data through thematic analysis and coding. We framed questions to capture the participants' unique hair journeys from birth to current pregnancy and identified two main periods: before gaining agency over their hair care and product choices and after agency. We identified three dominant themes: (1) players of influence, which included individuals or entities that influenced their hair experiences, (2) products, which involved all conversations of hair products, and (3) culture, which discussed the influence of culture on their hair journeys. These three themes intersected with each other and impacted the participants' sense of self differently at each period of the hair journey. The data reveals the importance of intervening prior to participants gaining agency of their hair choices. This study provides context of psychosocial and sociodemographic narratives of identity and culture and will be integral to the successful translation of intervention results.
Keywords: haircare products AND endocrine disruptors AND pregnancy AND culture AND hair journey