Late entry into prenatal care in a rural setting

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Maternal Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Late entry into prenatal care is a significant public health concern.
• Identifying determinants is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine social support, behavioral risks, and demographic factors influencing late entry into prenatal care.
• To identify predictors of late prenatal care initiation in a rural California population.

Main Methods:

• A multivariate logistic regression model was used.
• Data were collected from 176 women aged over 18 in rural California.
• Included obstetric practices and one nurse-midwifery practice.

Main Results:

• 27.3% of women entered prenatal care late (after the first trimester).
• Key predictors included stress, lack of social support, Medicaid enrollment, younger or older maternal age, low pregnancy acceptance, and low educational attainment.
• Social support moderated the impact of stress and Medicaid enrollment.

Conclusions:

• Late entry into prenatal care is influenced by a complex interplay of individual, social, and economic factors.
• Findings suggest potential targets for public health interventions to promote timely prenatal care access.
• Addressing social support and socioeconomic disparities can improve prenatal care utilization.