Prenatal Care Services in Bursa

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: Prenatal care (PNC) is an important preventive health service for health of the mother and the fetus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quantity and quality of the prenatal care given by family physicians and gynecology experts in Bursa.

Materials and Methods: Universe of this cross-sectional study conducted in Bursa, February 4, 2013 consisted of 18.817 pregnant women. Number of pregnant women in the sample was calculated as 744 and they were determined by randomization among pregnant women registered to family physicians. Data were collected using data collection form prepared by the researchers. Data collection form contained questions about women’s socio-demographic, biodemographic features and measuring, testing, information and consultancy services which ought to be done in prenatal period. Data was collected by midwives / nurses. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS package program. In the analysis of data, descriptive stastistics were used.

Findings: In the study, 96.3% of pregnant women who were in or over a 33-week pregnancy or had given birth received prenatal care from family physicians, while all of them received prenatal care from obstetrics and gynecology specialists. 81.1% of pregnant women in this group, received their first prenatal care from family physicians and 94.3% of them received their first prenatal care from obstetrics and gynecology specialists within first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Blood pressure of 97.0% of pregnant women, who were in or over a 33 week pregnancy or had given birth and received prenatal care from family physicians, was measured, 20.7% of them had cardiac auscultation, 86.4% of them had blood examination and 51.1% of them had informed about breastfeeding. In the same group, blood pressure of 90.9% of pregnant women who received prenatal care from obstetrics and gynecology specialists was measured, 30.3% of them had cardiac auscultation, all of them had ultrasound scanning and 40.6% of them had informed about breastfeeding.

Result: In Bursa, a sufficient number but low quality of prenatal care were given to pregnant women. In this context, health care personnel providing prenatal care should be given in-service trainings at regular intervals and Prenatal Management Guidelines should be used actively.