Introduction:

This study aimed to describe the quality indicators of prenatal care received by users of family health strategy in counties of the state of Paraíba (Brazil) and investigate the differentials accor ding to socioeconomic characteristics, social support, and type of health team.

Materials and methods:

This is a cross-sectional study including a total of 463 women with children under the age of 2 years. Data collected including prenatal start time, number of consultations, procedures, and exams and guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Health.

Results:

In the first trimester, 80.8 % of the women commenced prenatal care and 84.4 % did at least six visits. Tetanus vaccination was reported by 87.7 % of the respondents. Ferrous sulfate supplementation, physical and laboratory tests, and ultrasonography had a prevalence of over 95 %, in contrast to breast exam, which was 44.9 %. Socioeconomic characteris tics were associated with time of onset of prenatal care, number of consultations, tetanus immunization, tests (breasts, blood, blood glucose, and urine), and receipt of guidelines (feeding during pregnancy, weight gain gestational). Social support showed similar results. There were no differences in the indicators according to the type of health team.

Conclusion:

Most prenatal indicators showed high proportions of adequacy. The clinical examination of the breasts showed the worst performance. The adequacy of prenatal care was influenced by both socioeconomic characteristics and social support of women.

        · abstract in Portuguese | Spanish     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )