Objectives: To describe the organizational characteristics of antenatal car
e and their relation to the utilization of health services and perinatal mo
rtality in 13 European countries. Methods: The main data source was a quest
ionnaire on the organization and financing of antenatal care, filled out in
1995 by country representatives of a European Concerted Action. Results: T
hirteen systems for providing antenatal care were found. No clear grouping
by organizational characteristics (uniformity, main care providers, integra
tion. continuity of care, physical site, financing) emerged. Organizational
characteristics and the utilization of antenatal services or perinatal mor
tality did not relate to each other. Conclusions: There is no single way to
provide high-coverage services. Further studies are needed to relate organ
ization characteristics to health impact, costs, and patient satisfaction.
(C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.