PURPOSE:
To evaluate the adequacy of the process of prenatal care according to the parameters of the Program for the Humanization of Prenatal Care (PHPN) and of the procedures provided by the Stork Network of Unified Health System (SUS) in the microregion of Espirito Santo state, Brazil.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012-2013 by interviewing and analyzing the records of 742 women during the postpartum period and of their newborns in 7 hospitals in the region chosen for the research. The information was collected, processed and analyzed by the χ2 and Fisher's exact test to determine the difference in proportion between the criteria adopted by the PHPN and the Stork Network and the place of residence, family income and type of coverage of prenatal service. The level of significance was set at 5%.
RESULTS:
The parameters showing the lowest adequacy rate were quick tests and repeated exams, with frequencies around 10 and 30%, respectively, in addition to educational activities (57.9%) and tetanus immunization (58.7%). In contrast, risk management (92.6%) and the fasting plasma glucose test (91.3%) showed the best results. Adequacy was 7.4% for the PHPN, 0.4% for the Stork Network, with respect to the parameters of normal risk pregnancies, and 0 for high risk pregnancies. There was a significant difference between puerperae according to housing location regarding the execution of serology for syphilis (VDRL), anti-HIV and repeated fasting glucose tests, and monthly income influenced the execution of blood type/Rh factor tests, VDRL, hematocrit and anti-HIV test.
CONCLUSION:
Prenatal care in the SUS proved to be inadequate regarding the procedures required by the PHPN and Stork Network in the micro-region of a state in southeastern Brazil, especially for women of lower income, PACS users and residents of rural areas.
Maternal and child health; Prenatal care; Health evaluation; Humanization of assistance; Government programs; Unified Health System
Thumbnail
Thumbnail
