Behaviour of pregnant women towards the use of prenatal care services: a comparative study between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The present study aims to highlight and describe the elements of difference and/or similarity between China (Changchun) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa) concerning the behaviour of pregnant women in the use of prenatal care services. A cross-sectional investigation with a self-designed survey was carried out from September 2011 to March 2012 among pregnant women attending antenatal visits in Changchun and Kinshasa. Sixty pregnant women of childbearing age, with an uncomplicated pregnancy, attending prenatal visits in two hospitals and two community care centres were eligible for the study. Data were analysed using SPSS 13.0 software. Kinshasa 86.6% vs. Changchun 26.6% of pregnant women attended prenatal health education. In Changchun none of the responders (0%) have received tetanus vaccine, whereas in Kinshasa 90% were vaccinated against tetanus. Kinshasa 73.3% vs. Changchun 23.3% of pregnant women confirmed that they have performed the HIV test. The elements of difference found in our results were statistically significant P < 0.05. Prenatal health education can help pregnant women to have an appropriate awareness and improve their behaviour in the use of prenatal care services.