Prenatal care initiation among Hispanic women in a U.S.‐Mexico border community: Examining demographics and culture

Background: Prenatal care is associated with improved peripartum health for mothers and newborns and early entry to care is essential. However, research shows that minority women tend to initiate prenatal care later. This study examined demographics and culture in relation to timing of prenatal care initiation in the U.S.‐Mexico border region utilizing the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations. Methods: Analyses were performed using data from the 2009 medical records of 1367 Hispanic women seeking prenatal care at a federally‐qualified health center in South San Diego County. Early prenatal care initiation was defined as care received in the first trimester, or before 14 weeks of pregnancy. Language and birthplace were used as proxies of acculturation. Results: Most women were U.S.‐born (56%), Spanish‐speakers (71%) with low education (85%, high school education or less). About 60% initiated prenatal care in the first trimester. Neither birthplace nor language was significantly related to early prenatal care. However, higher level of education and previous clinic use were associated (p< 0.05) with early prenatal care, controlling for age, acculturation, and clinic location. Conclusions: The prevalence of early prenatal care initiation was higher than anticipated, and was positively associated with previous clinic use and more education. Future research should examine prenatal care initiation in relation to cross‐border health care utilization, in‐depth acculturation measures, and establishment of a primary care provider.