Factors associated with pre-natal care among low income women, State of S.Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study carried out in 1988 in the State of S. Paulo, with the purpose of evaluating the Program for Women's Integral Health Care. A total of 3.703 low income women of 15-49 years of age were interviewed using a structured, pre-tested form. The data in this paper relate to 669 women who had been pregnant during 1987 or 1988 and who were asked about pre-natal, delivery and post-partum care. The association between some of their socio-demographic characteristics and the pre-natal care received, months pregnant at the time of first visit and total number of visits, were analysed. Results showed an association between socio-economic characteristics and pre-natal care received. The greatest percentage of pregnant women who had had pre-natal care was found among those with more than elementary education. The highest percentage of women who started pre-natal care before the third month of pregnancy was found among those who had no living children (74%), were in union (70%), had at least some high school education (88%) and lived in the interior of the state (71%). The results show that it is necessary to increase the coverage and quality of prenatal care so as to improve perinatal results.