Perceived Impediments to Prenatal Care among Low-Income Women

Abstract

The study describes women’s experience with prenatal care, their perceived impediments to care, and compares the impediments cited by the women with levels of care utilization. The sample consisted of 126 African American women. A structured interview and questionnaire were used. The results showed that pregnancy was unplanned in 78.6% of the women, and no one encouraged the women to obtain care in half the cases. Only 50.8% of the women made adequate utilization of prenatal care. The main impediments to care were transportation, long waiting time, having too many other problems, and fear of staff finding out about the women’s use of substances. Five of the reported impediments significantly influenced the women’s utilization of care. These were: substance abuse, fear of medical examination, the belief that prenatal care is not necessary, already knew of pregnancy, and no babysitter for other children.