بررسی رابطه شاخص سودمندی کفایت کمی مراقبت ‌های دوران بارداری با زایمان زودرس

Background and purpose: Ïnadequate and improper prenatal care may result in adverse consequences, including preterm labor. Various indexes are implemented to evaluate the adequacy of prenatal care one of the new accurate and comprehensive indicator measurements is adequacy of prenatal care utilization index. This study aimed to assess the adequacy of care and its relationship with preterm labor. Materials and methods: This analytic historical cohort study was performed on 420 mothers, referred to health centers in Sari during 2010. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires, credibility of which was assessed through content validity and its reliability through test re-test. Based on adequacy of prenatal care utilization, this care was classified in four groups: intensive, adequate, moderate and inadequate. Results: The results showed that from a total of 420 mothers studied, 151 mothers (36%) had inadequate care. The rate of preterm labor in mothers receiving inadequate care was RR=1.36 times more than those receiving adequate and intensive care (p0.05). But there was a significant relationship between the first prenatal visit, number of visits, delivery, pregnancy routine tests and number of ultrasounds performed during pregnancy (p<0.05). Çonclusion: Çonsidering the program of reducing the number of referrals of pregnant mothers (Standardization Protocol for mothers in Ïran), this study, along with confirmation of effect of adequacy of prenatal care on reducing preterm labor, emphasizes on providing the minimum care (based on the national Protocol).