[Women with little or no prenatal care during pregnancy. Results of a study of twenty departments].

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the frequency of women who have little or no health care during pregnancy, to assess associated perinatal risk, and to identify the corresponding risk factors.

METHODS

Women who consulted less than 4 times or who began consultation during the third trimester were identified in public and private maternity units in 20 French departments. These women were compared with a sample of women from the same institutions who consulted regularly.

RESULTS

The percentage of pregnant women with little or no care was 1.1%. Risk of premature birth was increased 4-fold compared with women who consulted regularly. Women who consulted little were very young, multiparous or living alone with no health care insurance. These women stated that the reason for not consulting was that their pregnancy was not accepted, financial difficulties and administrative problems.

CONCLUSION

The lack of regular medical care results from social obstacles, especially in foreign born women but is also related to personal problems which are difficult to identify and manage.