Health care for pregnant women in family health strategy: living conditions and use of oral health services

Abstract

Objective: Characterize the sociodemographic and utilization profile of oral health services for pregnant women linked to a Family Health Unit in Porto Alegre/Rio Grande do Sul. Methodology: The cross-sectional study and data collection through analysis of family medical records of pregnant women (data identification, about pregnancy, general health, socioeconomic, services utilization, women's health indicators and oral health). Sample consisted of 66 pregnant women in prenatal record, from January to December 2011. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul and Porto Alegre city hall. Results: The studied women were mostly young (15-24 years), married, housewife, with at least 8 years schooling, living in brick house, with garbage collection and public grid water supply. Most of the women had 1-3 pregnancies, did not initiate prenatal care in the first trimester and was not (performing regular prenatal). Regarding oral health, 86.4% of pregnant women scheduled dental appointment, but only 68.2% actually did the first consult. Only 6% of pregnant women who were treated did not required performing dental procedures. Conclusion: The pregnant women had access to oral health, but often not used the services offered. The strategies to early attract pregnant women for prenatal care should be established to try understand the problems those women are facing in their daily lives in the pursuit of your health.