Factors associated with the quality of prenatal care in Peru

Abstract

Objective. To estimate the proportion of Peruvian women who received quality prenatal care (PNC) for their last childbirth in the last five years and to determine its associated factors. Materials and Methods. Analytical cross-sectional study of the 2017 Demographic and Family Health Survey. The proportion of quality PNC was calculated based on the number of PNC control visits. Bivariate and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRa) of quality PNC were estimated. Results. Data from 18,156 women were analyzed; 56.1% received quality PNC. Receiving more PNC visits increased the likelihood of receiving quality PNC (49.6% and 59.9% for six and eight control visits, respectively). Being from the highlands (PRa=0.85; 95% CI: 0.80-0.91), living in rural areas (PRa=0.94; 95% CI: 0.89-0.99), and belonging to a native ethnic group (PRa=0.72; 95% CI: 0.66-0.79) was associated with a lower likelihood of receiving quality PNC. Having completed high-school (PRa=1.16; 95% CI: 1.10-1.22) and higher education (PRa=1.15; 95% CI: 1.07-1.23), being from the 2nd wealth quintile (PRa=1.15; 95% CI: 1.08-1.22), 3rd quintile (PRa=1.18; 95% CI: 1.09-1.27), 4th quintile (PRa=1.16; 95% CI: 1.07-1.26), and 5th quintile (PRa=1.16; 95% CI: 1.05-1.28); being from the rest of the Coast (PRa=1.06; 95% CI: 1.00-1.12) and Jungle (PRa=1.31; 95% CI: 1.24-1.39); being enrolled in health insurance (PRa=1.24; 95% CI: 1.18-1.30); birth order 2-3 (PRa=1.10; 95% CI: 1.06-1.15) or ≥4 (PRa=1.20; 95% CI: 1.14-1.27), and having received PNC in the first trimester (PRa=1.20, 95% CI: 1.14-1.26) was related to an increased likelihood of receiving quality PNC. Conclusions. Four out of ten women did not receive quality PNC, especially in women of native ethnicity or residents of the highlands or rural areas, groups that would require prioritization in maternal health strategies.