P2.123: Addressing Diaper Need in Pediatric Healthcare: A Student-Run Clinic-Based Initiative

Background:

Background: Diaper need is a widespread public health issue that affects nearly 50% of families in the United States. The challenges that come from an inadequate supply of diapers can lead to documented health impacts on infants, such as an increased risk of urinary tract infections and diaper dermatitis. The cascading effects of diaper need extend beyond infants to caregivers, manifesting as increased parental stress and exacerbated financial hardship. Despite the established need, diapers are not covered by federal assistance programs, and only few states have programs that address this need. Community-based diaper pantries represent a critical safety net for families experiencing diaper need, but they only reach a small portion of families. Our team operates a clinic-based diaper distribution program. The program is uniquely student-run and raises awareness about diaper need amongst trainees, while simultaneously providing services to families.

Project Description: Project

Description: The OHSU Doernbecher Diaper Pantry was established in 2021 as a student-run diaper pantry in the general pediatrics clinic based on feedback from families about their unmet social needs. Since then, it has been expanded to include the pediatric emergency department, additional supplies including diaper barrier cream, an annual supply drive, and also includes monthly tabling events. The pantry has also recognized National Diaper Need Awareness Week at the institution, engaged community partners to spread awareness about diaper need, and led educational sessions with pediatric trainees. Students collaborated with their local AAP chapter to pass a resolution to raise awareness on diaper need, which was accepted at the 2024 AAP Leadership Conference. Importantly, the diaper pantry connects families to community partners that provide longer-term supply of diapers. The pantry is currently undergoing iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to expand utilization of services.

Discussion:

Discussion: Since the establishment of the pantry in 2021, it has distributed 900 packs of diapers at the general pediatrics clinic. Since initiating PDSA cycles, which involved the introduction of tabling events and increased staff education, monthly distribution of diaper packs has increased by 89.3% when comparing the pre-PDSA cycle (14.0 packs/month) to the post-PDSA cycle average (26.5 packs/month).

Conclusion:

Conclusion: Our student-run model provides immediate relief to families and establishes connections to longer-term community resources. It also creates educational opportunities for medical trainees about an often unaddressed social determinant of health. While these clinic-based interventions serve as an important touchpoint for families, this study also highlights some limitations of diaper pantries and that sustainable solutions to address diaper need requires systemic policy change as well. This project exemplifies how integrating social needs interventions into clinical care settings can address urgent community needs while training a new generation of physicians equipped to tackle the complex interplay between material needs and child health outcomes.