 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Vijayabhaskar Reddy Kandula, MD, MPH, MEDICINE, Wycof Heights Medical Center, 204 St. Nicholas Ave., apt. 3 L, Brooklyn, NY 11237, 718-418-8725, emailreddy@yahoo.com and VIVEK Paduvetnaya, MBBS, SHANKAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, SWAMI VIVEKANANDA YOUTH MOVEMENT, SHANTHINAGAR POST, H.D.KOTE TALUK, MYSORE DISTRICT, KARNATAKA, Kenchanahalli, India.
A cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess utilization patterns of MCH facilities. We obtained information on 731 pregnancies in a population of 1438 (of all women in the reproductive age group at the time of survey).
Of 731 pregnancies, three fourths (73.6%) had no prenatal care. 10% received complete prenatal care*. Average number of prenatal visits was 0.8 and the average point at first contact was around fourth month. Prenatal care utilization was associated with literacy status and time periods preceding the survey. Immunization against tetanus during pregnancy followed a similar pattern. There was wide variation among the ethnic groups.
In women with above primary level schooling average number of prenatal visits was 1.5, compare to 1.2 visits in women with schooling up to primary level and 0.7 in illiterates. Also, responses from men (husband's) revealed a favorable attitude towards prenatal care. In the last five years 48.4% of pregnancies had prenatal care and the average number of visits was 1.65 compared to just 14% coverage and less than 0.5 average visits five years prior to the survey.
There was no pregnancy wastage in pregnancies with complete prenatal care. Pregnancy wastage was 1.8% if prenatal care was complete and 7.1% if there was no prenatal care at all. Wastage was mainly due to stillbirths occurring at term and due to premature labor. In pregnancies with complete prenatal care 96% of infants survived up to one year. Compared to 94.5% if incomplete and only 88.4% if there was no prenatal care.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Prenatal Care, Utilization
Related Web page: www.vivekamysore.com
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.