Associated Factors to Late Start of Prenatal Care at a Callao Health Center, Peru

Abstract

Introduction: Prenatal care is a health strategy that contributes to the reduction of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality; therefore, it is relevant to carry it out continuously, comprehensively, periodically and early.
Objective: To determine the factors associated with the late start of prenatal care in a Callao Health Center, Peru.
Methods: An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out at Alta Mar del Callao Health Center, Peru, from September to November 2019. A non-probability sample of 149 pregnant women was selected. They had a validated questionnaire. The
variables under study were the sociodemographic, personal, obstetric and institutional factors, in addition to the late start of prenatal care.
Results: No significant association was shown in the bivariate analysis the sociodemographic and institutional factors. While personal factors such as the history of violence (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1-4.9) and the partner ́s disinterest (OR = 3.7; 95% CI = 1.8- 7,7), as well as the obstetric factor, unplanned pregnancy (OR = 6.6; 95% CI = 2.7-16.4), were associated with the late start of prenatal care. In the multivariate analysis, the partner ́s disinterest (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.2-6.1) and unplanned pregnancy (OR = 5.6;
95% CI = 2.2-14.3), kept the association.
Conclusions: The partner ́s disinterest and the unplanned pregnancy were associated
with the late start of prenatal care, which increase the possibility of this event to occur.