Prenatal care and pregnancy outcomes: a cross-sectional study in Luanda, Angola

Tazi Nimi, Sílvia Fraga, Diogo Costa, Paulo Campos, Henrique Barros*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective To describe prenatal care in Angolan women delivered at a large tertiary care unit, and to explore the association between prenatal care and selected perinatal outcomes. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between December 2012 and February 2013, involving 995 women aged 13–46 years, delivered at Lucrécia Paím Maternity, Luanda. Trained interviewers collected information on timing, frequency, place, and satisfaction with prenatal care; sociodemographic and clinical characteristics; birth weight; and gestational age. Logistic regression models were fitted, and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95%CI) estimated. Results Quantitatively inadequate prenatal care (< 4 visits) was more common in younger, less educated, poorer women, followed in public institutions, and those who felt more dissatisfied with care. More visits, both in primiparas and multiparas, were independently associated with more cesarean deliveries. After adjustment, having fewer than four visits was significantly associated with low birth weight (OR 2.00; 95% CI, 1.15–3.50) and preterm delivery (OR 2.74; 95% CI, 1.69–4.44 for 2–4 visits); similar associations were found regarding late entrance into care. Conclusion Early entrance into prenatal care and the recommended number of visits are major determinants of mode of delivery and pregnancy outcomes, constituting targets to improve perinatal health.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S72-S78
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Volume135
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Angola
  • Cross-sectional study
  • Low birth weight
  • Pregnancy outcomes
  • Prenatal care

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