Indicators of prenatal care received by Family Health Strategy users in cities of the State of Paraíba

Abstract

Introduction: Prenatal care benefits maternal and neonatal health. Objective: To evaluate indicators of prenatal care of users from Family Health Strategy in cities of the State of Paraíba, Brazil, and to investigate differences according to the social context and the health team. Methods: Cross-sectional study based on the questionnaire application to 897 individuals. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to verify the association between social characteristics and type of health team with indicators of the prenatal care (time of beginning, number of consultations for gestational age at delivery, use of ferrous sulfate, vaccination against tetanus before or during the gestation), treated as dependent variables. Results: Among interviewees, 81.0% began prenatal care in the first quarter of pregnancy and 83.0% had at least six consultations. Ferrous sulfate use and tetanus immunization were reported by respectively 94.9% and 88.8% of the interviewed women. Participants living with a partner, with higher socioeconomic level, and not participating in the Bolsa Família Program were more likely to have adequate beginning time of prenatal care, number of consultations and supplementation with ferrous sulfate. Beginning of prenatal care in the first quarter and having at least six consultations were associated with low food insecurity, while maternal work outside the home, high social support, family functionality and attendance by teams from Programa Mais Médicos favored the prenatal beginning time. Conclusion: The study showed satisfactory indicators of prenatal care, influenced by the socioeconomic characteristics and the social support of the pregnant woman.