Coverage characterization of pre-natal in Maranhão State, Brazil

• Published in: Revista brasileira de enfermagem Vol. 63; no. 6; p. 1005
• Main Authors: Costa, Geny Rose Cardoso, Chein, Maria Bethânia da Costa, Gama, Mônica Elinor Alves, Coelho, Leidyane Silva Caldas, da Costa, Andreia Susana Vieira, Cunha, Carlos Leonardo Figueiredo, Brito, Luciane Maria Oliveira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Brazil 01-11-2010
• Subjects: Adult; Brazil; Delivery of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Brazil
• ISSN: 0034-7167
• DOI: 10.1590/S0034-71672010000600021

The purpose of the study was to characterize the coverage of prenatal care in the State of Maranhão. A population-based study, descriptive in 30 municipalities of the State of Maranhão, with 2075 women of childbearing age, with previous pregnancy, from July 2008 to Januray 2009. The results demonstrated that the units of family health accounted for 45.9% of the care of pregnant women and that 46.8% reported carrying out consultations six or more prenatal care during last pregnancy and 64.6% started prenatal in the first three months of pregnancy. The coverage of prenatal care, without regard to adequacy, was 85.6%, however, when considering the coverage of adequate prenatal as established by Brazilian Health Ministry was 43.4%. Although coverage of prenatal above 80%, less than half is considered adequate, showing a gap in primary care quality.