[Pregnant women's knowledge of prematurity in Quebec]

The objective of this study was to determine pregnant women's knowledge level concerning premature birth. During July of 1990, 465 pregnant women completed a questionnaire evaluating their knowledge of the following dimensions of premature birth: risk factors, symptoms, epidemiology, prevention and self-assessment of risk. The subjects were all francophones, at 16 weeks of less of pregnancy, with characteristics comparable to all pregnant women in Quebec. The study participants considered premature birth to be a serious health problem, and over-estimated the premature birth rate. Fifty-seven percent thought that the rate was 17% or greater. Eighty percent associated premature birth with some morbidity and mortality risks. On the other hand, the risk factors concerning premature birth were poorly known; approximately 50% of the women did not recognize twin pregnancy and a past history of premature delivery as risk factors. Moreover, a third of the women did not recognize the signs and symptoms of premature rupture of membranes and of premature labor. In conclusion, a high proportion of pregnant women in Quebec do not have even minimally adequate knowledge levels concerning the prevention or risks of premature birth.