Obstetric care in a migrant population with free access to health care

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Lígia Almeida (Author) FPCEUP; Cristina C Santos (Author) FMUP; José Caldas (Author) FPCEUP; Diogo Ayres de Campos (Author) Other; Sonia Dias (Author) Other

Journal

Title: International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics

Vol. 126 No. 3

Pages: 244-247

ISSN: 0020-7292

Publisher: Elsevier Ireland

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 23 Citations

Scopus - 25 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-SCQ

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.03.023

Abstract (EN): Objective: To evaluate differences in obstetric care between immigrant and native women in a country with free access to health care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out of immigrant mothers delivering in one of the four public hospitals in the Porto, Portugal, metropolitan area between February and December 2012. The comparison group included native Portuguese mothers who delivered in the same institutions. The participants (89 immigrant mothers and 188 Portuguese mothers) were recruited by telephone and completed a written questionnaire during a home visit. Results: Immigrant women were more likely to have their first pregnancy appointment after 12 weeks of pregnancy (27.0% vs 14.4%, P = 0.011) and to have fewer than three prenatal visits (2.2% vs 0.0%, P < 0.001). They were also more likely to have had a cesarean delivery (48.3% vs 31.4%, P = 0.023), perineal laceration (48.8% vs 11.6%, P < 0.001), or postpartum hemorrhage (33.5% vs 12.3%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Migrants were more prone to late prenatal care and to intrapartum complications. Unsatisfactory interactions with healthcare staff may play an important role in these findings. (C) 2014 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific