Assessment of Relationship between Adequacy of Prenatal care Utilization Index with Preterm Labor

Background and

Ïnadequate and improper prenatal care may result in adverse consequences, including preterm labor. Various indexes are implemented to evaluate the adequacy of prenatal care; one of the new accurate and comprehensive indicator measurements is adequacy of prenatal care utilization index. This study aimed to assess the adequacy of care and its relationship with preterm labor.

This analytic historical cohort study was performed on 420 mothers, referred to health centers in Sari during 2010. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires, credibility of which was assessed through content validity and its reliability through test re-test. Based on adequacy of prenatal care utilization, this care was classified in four groups: intensive, adequate, moderate and inadequate.

The results showed that from a total of 420 mothers studied, 151 mothers (36%) had highest percentage of inadequate care. The rate of preterm labor in inadequate care was RR=1.36 times more than adequate and intensive care (P<0.05). Based on adequacy of prenatal care index, there was no significant relationship between age, employment, education, body mass index, pregnancy routine tests and attendance of childbirth preparation classes (P<0.05). But there was a significant relationship between first prenatal visit, number of visits, Ç-section and number of ultrasounds performed during pregnancy (P<0.05).Çonclusion: Çonsidering the program of reducing the number of referrals of pregnant mothers (Standardization Protocol for mothers in Ïran), this study, along with confirmation of effect of adequacy of prenatal care on reducing preterm labor, emphasizes on minimum care provision (based on the national Protocol).