Characterisation of prenatal health controls in Cordoba during 2021

Abstract

The health care of pregnant women is a priority public health issue, closely associated with the quality and level of coverage of prenatal care (PNC). In Argentina, prenatal care is considered efficient if it is early (during the first trimester of gestation), regular (at least 5 checkup's), complete, and of wide coverage. However, disparities in access to PNC persist in our country, both at national and local levels. Objective. Assess access to quality prenatal care among pregnant women residing in the city of Cordoba in 2021, assisted in the public sub-sector during this time.

A cross-sectional study was designed on the total number of pregnant women in the city of Córdoba in the year 2021, attended in the public subsector during that period. Secondary sources were used: databases and publications from public bodies (Ministry of Health of the province of Cordoba); CLAP model Perinatal Clinical History. A descriptive analysis was made of the frequency distribution of the main indicators of NPC (distribution by age of pregnant women, moment of first control, serology and ultrasound performed).

In 2021 there were 9,236 pregnant women in Córdoba City. Among pregnancies, 46.3% were those aged 35 and over, followed by those aged 21 to 30 with 41.1%. 18.47% of the women were caught at an early age.  23.87 % of the individuals had been picked up by the system during the 14th to 20th week, reaching 46.34 % of those enrolled in the 35th week or later. 42.9% received serological tests for Chagas disease, 50.4% for syphilis, 57.6% for HIV. 46.7% received ultrasound checks according to the recommendations.

Insufficient early recruitment of pregnant women attended in the public sub-sector during the reporting period was detected, and only half of the pregnant women had access to the recommended serological and ultrasound studies. This information should be used as an input to strengthen health strategies to promote timely recruitment and quality controls for pregnant women living in the city of Cordoba.