The unbooked patient. Part I. Reasons for failure to attend antenatal clinics.

Two hundred unbooked mothers were questioned after delivery and their reasons for non-attendance at antenatal clinics were determined. The control group consisted of 310 mothers who had booked early and were good clinic attenders. The most significant difference between the two groups was that the unbooked mothers were of lower socioeconomic status and lived in poorer areas situated further from the hospital. The main reasons given for not attending hospital clinics included the expense involved and the fact that the mothers often stayed outside the area during the pregnancy.