Profile of pregnant women attending the prenatal service of the basic units of health of Fortaleza-CE

Abstract

This study aimed at characterizing pregnantwomentreated at the antenatal care service of the Family Health Care Centre (in Portuguese, CSF) in the city of Fortaleza. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study carried out in six CSFs, from August to October 2009, with 310 pregnant women. The results revealed that 67.5%, were aged between 20 to 34 years; 90.9% had a monthly income up to one minimum wage; 71.6% experienced menarche between the ages of 9 to 13; 88.4% had had their first sexual intercourse between the ages of 11 and 19; 54.6% had between 2 to 5 sexual partners; 66.1% were not previously treated for STIs; and 82.9% had not had a screening test performed during pregnancy. Astatistically significant relationship between timing of menarche and the first sexual intercourse and between the number of sexual partners and age was observed. In conclusion pregnant women have peculiarities that should be taken into account at antenatal consultations. Information on these women’s profile could aid health professionals to rethink actions directed to this target population, particularly in educational activities to maintain a healthy pregnancy.