Quality of prenatal care from postpartum adolescents point of view

Abstract

The prenatal care in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) aims to provide health promotion/management and prevention of current and intercurrent pregnancy diseases. This exploratory and descriptive study, with qualitative approach, has as objectives to analyze the perception of postpartum adolescents concerning prenatal care and to describe their socio-demographic and obstetric profile. The research was carried out in the FHS territory of Sumaré neighborhood, in Sobral - Ceará, with eight postpartum adolescents. Data was collected in January 2007, using a form and a semistructured interview. The results show the following profile: adolescents age group was from 15 to 19 years, six had family income of a minimum wage, four had High School (complete or incomplete), all of them had a steady relationship and first pregnancy, just one underwent Caesarean section, none of them had an abortion, and the number of prenatal visits varied from six to twelve. Regarding prenatal perception, postpartum adolescents reported to be important the evaluation of maternal and fetal health, as it is essential for fetal development and birth. They also ratified the acquired knowledge during this period, through health education and also clinical exams carried out by health professionals, which got a unanimous approval. The results showed the community recognition need of the benefits that prenatal care provides to mothers and their children.