Epidemiological profile of consulting women at the prenatal service of a university hospital

Abstract

The characteristics of pregnant women in prenatal consultation are described in this article in a quantitative approach. The aim of this study is to identify this group by sketching its epidemiological profile. 118 attendance reports dated from January to June 2003 were investigated in the obstetrics service in a city of Rio de Janeiro public hospital. The analysis showed that the highest percentage is comprised of women in the age group of 19-25 years (39,8%); that are married (38,9%); have basic consultation between 14 and 17 weeks of pregnancy (18,6%); had previous vaginal birth (79%); have basic school education (29,6%); are housewives (33,8%); have more than one child (58,4%); and did not mention complaints in the first consultation (39%). It can be concluded that obstetric consultation can substantially help reduce morbi-mortality of pregnant women, since it makes possible the guiding of intercurrences and the prevention of troubles during and after the period of pregnancy.