[Influence of socioeconomic factors on the course and monitoring of pregnancy]

Abstract

Objective: To analyse variations in monitoring the pregnancy programme (PP) and in the programme's development in three population groups distinguished by their socio-demographic characteristics.

Design: An observational, descriptive and retrospective study.

Setting: "Occidente" Health District, Córdoba.

Participants: Women who finalised their pregnancy in 1994 or 1995 (n = 415) and who lived in three zones distinguished geographically and socially: an Urban Area (UA), with an average population socially and economically and urban environment; a Marginal Area (MA) with a low social and economic level, high rates of unemployment and drug addiction, and a mixed population (gypsy and latin); and a Rural Area (RA), which had a rural productive way of life.

Measurements: The area of residence was related to the socio-demographic variables, history, drug consumption, PP monitoring and identified pathology.

Results: PP coverage reached 73.8% (CI 69.2-77.8), Pregnant women living in the MA were younger (p < 0.001), and included more adolescents (p < 0.001) and more single women (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Poorer monitoring and adherence to the PP by the MA population could be confirmed.