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. 2025 Jan 27:58:e20240154.
doi: 10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2024-0154en. eCollection 2025.

Prenatal tests in Brazil: prevalence and associated factors according to the Brazilian National Health Survey

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Francisca Maria da Silva Freitas  1 , Rita Da Graça Carvalhal Frazão Correia  1 , Camila Biazus-Dalcin  2 , Herla Maria Furtado Jorge  3 , Priscila de Souza Aquino  4 , Bruno Luciano Carneiro Alves de Oliveira  5
Affiliations

Prenatal tests in Brazil: prevalence and associated factors according to the Brazilian National Health Survey

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Francisca Maria da Silva Freitas et al. Rev Esc Enferm USP. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of prenatal tests of pregnant women and factors associated with variation in this prevalence in the years of the Brazilian National Health Survey 2013 and 2019.

Method: A cross-sectional study, carried out with women who underwent prenatal care, interviewed in the Brazilian National Health Survey 2013 (n = 1,851) and 2019 (n = 2,729).

Results: The most prevalent tests were urine and blood, and the least prevalent were syphilis and HIV. During the period, the number of tests for syphilis (15.2; 95% CI: 11.0; 22.0) and HIV (4.3; 95% CI: 4.3; 8.0) increased, but the number of tests for the others decreased. The prevalence of tests for the four tests increased and reached 69.9% (95% CI: 67.0; 72.8) in 2019 compared to 60% (95% CI: 56.1; 63.9) in 2013.

Conclusion: There was a greater number of prenatal tests performed, specifically for syphilis and HIV, rather than a reduction in the number of blood and urine tests. Despite the increase in access to all tests for the most vulnerable groups and locations in the country, prevalence in these groups is still low.

Objetivo:: Analizar la prevalencia de exámenes prenatales en mujeres embarazadas y los factores asociados a la variación de esta prevalencia en los años de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2013 y 2019.

Método:: Estudio transversal, realizado con mujeres que realizaron control prenatal, entrevistadas en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de 2013 (n = 1.851) y 2019 (n = 2.729).

Resultados:: Las pruebas de mayor prevalencia fueron orina y sangre, y las menos prevalentes fueron sífilis y VIH. Durante el período, el número de pruebas de sífilis (15,2; IC 95%: 11,0; 22,0) y VIH (4,3; IC 95%: 4,3; 8,0) aumentó, pero el de los demás disminuyó. La prevalencia de la realización de los cuatro exámenes aumentó y alcanzó el 69,9% (IC95%: 67,0; 72,8) en 2019, frente al 60% (IC95%: 56,1; 63,9) en 2013.

Conclusión:: Hubo mayor número de exámenes prenatales realizados, específicamente para sífilis y VIH, en detrimento de una reducción de los exámenes de sangre y orina. A pesar del crecimiento en el acceso a todas las pruebas para los grupos y ubicaciones más vulnerables del país, la prevalencia en estos grupos aún es baja.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Prevalence (%) and 95% Confidence Intervals of the performance of the set of prenatal tests of pregnant women interviewed in the Brazilian National Health Survey, Brazil, 2013 and 2019.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Unadjusted and adjusted association of prenatal tests of pregnant women with the year in which they were interviewed in the Brazilian National Health Survey, Brazil, 2013 and 2019.
Figura 1
Figura 1. Prevalência (%) e Intervalos de Confiança de 95% da realização do conjunto de exames pré-natais de gestantes entrevistadas na Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, Brasil, 2013 e 2019.
Figura 2
Figura 2. Associação bruta e ajustada de exames pré-natais de gestantes com o ano em que foram entrevistadas na Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, Brasil, 2013 e 2019.
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