Author/Authors :
Bashour, H. University of Damascus - Facultyof Medicine - Department of Family and Community Medicine, Syrian Arab Republic , Abdulsalam, A. University of Damascus - Facultyof Medicine - Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Syrian Arab Republic , Al-Faisal, W. University of Damascus - Facultyof Medicine - Department of Family and Community Medicine, Syrian Arab Republic , Cheikha, S. University of Damascus - Facultyof Medicine - Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Syrian Arab Republic
Abstract :
This descriptive study was designed to describe the patterns and determinants of maternity care among Syrian women living in Damascus. All 39 birth registers in 2 large provinces were used to recruit 500 mothers of healthy newborns. Mothers were interviewed in their homes using a semistructured questionnaire. Multivariate analysis of the determinants of the frequency of use of antenatal care showed the following variables were significant: urban residence and visit to antenatal care in the 1st trimester. The significant variables for an early visit to antenatal care were the woman’s level of education; being pregnant with the 1st baby; and number of visits to antenatal care. Being young (age 20 years) also correlated with early timing of the 1st antenatal visit.
