Mjd. Osis et al., FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PRENATAL-CARE AMO NG LOW-INCOME WOMEN, STATE OF SAO-PAULO, BRAZIL, Revista de Saude Publica, 27(1), 1993, pp. 49-53
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 Wome
n's Integral Health Care. A total of 3.703 low income women of 15-49 y
ears of age were interviewed using a structured, pre-tested form. The
data in this paper relate to 669 women who had been pregnant during 19
87 or 1988 and who were asked about pre-natal, delivery and post-partu
m care. The association between some of their socio-demographic charac
teristics and the pre-natal care received, months pregnant at the time
of first visit and total number of visits, were analysed. Results sho
wed an association between socio-economic characteristics and pre-nata
l care received. The greatest percentage of pregnant women who had had
pre-natal care was found among those with more than elementary educat
ion. 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 edu
cation (88%) and lived in the interior of the state (71%). The results
show that it is necessary to increase the coverage and quality of pre
natal care so as to improve perinatal results.