An indicator of adverse pregnancy outcome in France: not receiving maternity benefits.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to compare the social characteristics, the pregnancy outcome, and the antenatal care of women in France who did not receive maternity benefits to women who did. These benefits (860 FF, approx 86 pounds per month) are given to every pregnant woman, starting in the second trimester. Payments are made on the condition that at least three antenatal visits are made, the first being before the end of the first trimester.


METHODS
The study involved a random sample of women who were interviewed after delivery during their stay in hospital. Data on pregnancy outcome were collected from medical records.


METHODS
The study was carried out in four public maternity units in different regions of France.


METHODS
1692 women were included in the analysis (86.8% of the selected sample). Of 257 exclusions, 40 had multiple pregnancies, 189 had missing data, and 28 did not answer the question concerning maternity benefits.


RESULTS
4.3% of the women did not receive any maternity benefits. These women lived in poorer social conditions than the women who received the benefits. They had a higher preterm delivery rate, after controlling for risk factors in a logistic regression. Women without maternity benefits were characterised by a lower level of care, yet the majority began their antenatal care during the first trimester or had more than six visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Not receiving maternity benefits during pregnancy is an index of an underprivileged situation and a risk factor for pregnancy outcome.
Blondel
B
B
Epidemiology Research Unit on Mother and Child Health, INSERM U149, Villejuif, France.
Saurel-Cubizolles
M J
MJ
D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012943:Social Security; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors