[Clinical breast examination during prenatal visits: analysis of coverage and associated factors in a city in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil]

Abstract

The Brazilian Ministry of Health recommends that breast examination be performed along with breastfeeding orientation during the first prenatal visit. The aims of the current study were to analyze breast examination during prenatal care and describe the factors associated with insufficient coverage. A cross-sectional study was performed in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, from May to July 2007. Data for women who had just given birth were recorded on a standardized questionnaire. Of 445 women, 266 (59.8%) had not undergone breast examination during prenatal care. Non-white women and those with a monthly income below the minimum wage (BRL 380.00) or with prenatal care and delivery in the public health system showed the highest probability of not having a breast examination during prenatal care. The results show the low prevalence of breast examination during prenatal care and indicate serious problems related to quality of prenatal care, besides unequal access for poor women.