Adequate prenatal care: study of population surveys

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the temporal evolution of adequate prenatal care regarding the number of consultations and examinations in the State of Pernambuco through surveys carried out in the years 1997, 2006 and 2016. Methods: This is a cross-sectional population-based study, carried out using secondary data taken from the databases of the II, III and IV State Survey of Health and Nutrition, carried out in the State of Pernambuco. The following variables were described: number of consultations, blood tests for anemia, syphilis, diabetes and HIV, urinalysis, toxoplasmosis, hepatitis and cytology. Results: There was an increase in the number of consultations in 1997, 2006 and 2016. In 2006, 37.7% had adequate prenatal care, while in 2016 this figure was 50.4%. As for the HIV test, there was an increase in 2016 compared to 2006. In 2016 there was a prevalence of performing the hepatitis test 75.2%, followed by toxoplasmosis 60.0% and cytological 31.6%. Conclusion: There was an increase in the temporal trend regarding consultations in the years 1997, 2006 and 2016 and laboratory tests between the years 2006 and 2016. These data may help to reduce maternal and child mortality rates that still occur in the state of Pernambuco and in the country.