Barriers to prenatal care among Black women of low socioeconomic status.

OBJECTIVE

To qualitatively identify attitudinal and psychosocial determinants of early prenatal care among Black women of low socioeconomic status (SES).

METHODS

Focus group discussions were conducted among Black women who attended community clinics for prenatal care.

RESULTS

Early initiators of prenatal care, compared with late initiators, had positive attitudes toward pregnancy, were knowledgeable about pregnancy signs/symptoms, and thought prenatal care was important. All participants indicated strong social support during pregnancy. Late initiators, particularly multiparous women, perceived clinic staff to be insensitive.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide valuable insight into overcoming barriers to early initiation of prenatal care among low SES Black women.