Characteristics of antenatal care for adolescents from state capitals in Southern and Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Quantitative and descriptive study that intended to describe some aspects of antenatal care for adolescents at teaching hospitals in the South and Northeast of Brazil, based on the quality criteria established by the Humanization Program of Antenatal and Birth Care. This is an excerpt from the research "Social support networks for fatherhood during adolescence". The data collection occurred between December 2008 and December 2009. The sample consisted of 559 puerperal adolescents. The results showed that 98% of the interviewees received antenatal care, 67.2% attended six or more consultations and 62.5% started the care in the first pregnancy terms. As regards the routine exams, not all of them were done, and 41.8% denied having received any kind of information about labor and delivery during the antenatal consultations. In conclusion, most of the adolescents received antenatal care according to the criteria recommended in the Program. Nevertheless, educational actions and orientations are needed during the consultations.