Ml. Blankson et al., NONCOMPLIANCE OF HIGH-RISK PREGNANT-WOMEN IN KEEPING APPOINTMENTS AT AN OBSTETRIC COMPLICATIONS CLINIC, Southern medical journal, 87(6), 1994, pp. 634-638
We conducted this survey to determine reasons for missed appointments
and the relationship between missed appointments, knowledge of diagnos
is, and perception of the impact of this diagnosis on pregnancy outcom
e. We attempted to interview, by telephone, 506 women within 24 hours
of their missing an appointment at a high-risk obstetric clinic, Infor
mation from 118 respondents was analyzed. The study population was 71%
black and 29% white, the average age was 23, and both income and educ
ational levels were low. Seventy-three percent of the women know their
medical diagnosis, yet only 30% perceived the problem as a threat. Wo
men who could identify their diagnosis were more likely to evaluate pr
enatal care positively (P <.006). Women who perceived their condition
as a threat seemed to blame lack of transportation less often as a rea
son for missing an appointment. Many women who missed appointments did
not know why they were being seen, and many did not perceive that the
care was useful. Effective patient education could improve compliance
.