[Gaps in the continuum of care during pregnancy and delivery in Mexico]

Abstract

Objective: To develop a composite index for coverage of antenatal and delivery continuum of care, and use it to measure the gaps among different populations of pregnant women in Mexico.

Materials and methods: Based in the information of 5 766 women from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012, a composite index of coverage of continuum of care (Cobac in spanish) was developed, integrating five interventions for antenatal, delivery, and puerperium periods.

Results: Women living in metropolitan areas who were affiliated to social security had the best Cobac (0.879; IC95%:0.867-0.891); the worst were found in women living in rural areas, with the lower socio-economic level (NSE-I), (0.722; IC95%: 0.700-0.745), women without health insurance (0.735; IC95%: 0.700-0.770), and indigenous women (0.759; IC95%: 0.740-0.779).

Conclusions: The Cobac during pregnancy and childbirth has important differences within the country, which allows for the identification of areas where we must focus efforts to move towards universal health coverage.