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Multicenter Study
. 1998 Jul-Aug;89(4):260-3.
doi: 10.1007/BF03403932.

Education of women about the prevention of preterm birth

B L Davies  1 , P J Stewart, A E Sprague, P A Niday, C A Nimrod, C S Dulberg
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Education of women about the prevention of preterm birth

B L Davies et al. Can J Public Health. 1998 Jul-Aug.

Abstract
in English, French

Objectives: To describe: 1) The education of pregnant women by health care professionals about the prevention of preterm birth; and 2) professionals' views about future initiatives.

Background: A population survey of health professionals was conducted in Eastern Ontario. The response rate was 73% (608/835).

Results: Education materials for women receiving prenatal care about the prevention of preterm birth were available from 10% (12/115) of family physicians, 40% (23/58) of obstetricians, 19% (57/306) of labour room nurses and 76% (94/124) of the prenatal teachers. Only one third of physicians routinely discussed the signs and symptoms of preterm labour prior to 20 weeks. Practitioners' future priorities were smoking cessation programs for pregnant women and increased attendance at early prenatal classes.

Conclusions: Most women are not being educated by anyone in the health care team about the prevention of preterm birth. There is a need for multidisciplinary guidelines about the timing and type of information for women about risk reduction and the early identification and treatment of preterm labour.

Objectifs: Décrire: 1) l’éducation des femmes enceintes par des professionnels de la santé sur les moyens de prévenir les naissances avant terme; et 2) les points de vue des professionnels concernant les initiatives futures.

Antécédents: On a sondé les professionnels de la santé dans l’est de l’Ontario. Le taux de réponse a été de 73 % (608/835).

Résultats: Dix pour cent (12/115) des médecins de famille, 40 % (23/58) des obstétriciens, 19 % (57/306) des infirmières des salles d’accouchement et 76 % (94/124) des éducateurs en soins prénatals disposaient de ressources éducatives sur la prévention des naissances avant terme à l’intention des femmes recevant des soins prénatals. Seulement un tiers des médecins expliquent systématiquement avant la vingtième semaine de grossesse ce que sont les signes et les symptômes d’un accouchement prématuré. À l’avenir, les priorités des praticiens seront les programmes de cessation du tabagisme pour les femmes enceintes et un renforcement de leur présence aux premiers cours prénatals.

Conclusions: Personne dans l’équipe de soins de santé ne sensibilise la plupart des femmes à la prévention des naissances avant terme. Il importe de se doter de lignes directrices multidisciplinaires pour savoir quand et quoi dire aux femmes au sujet de la réduction du risque, ainsi que pour permettre l’identification précoce et le traitement des accouchements avant terme.

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