Distribution of ultrasound examination during pregnancy in France between 1976 and 1981.
In France, between 1976 and 1981, the use of ultrasound examination during pregnancy increased from 11.3 to 81.8%. In spite of this dramatic increase, many inequalities observed in 1976 still exist in 1981. Despite a decrease in 1981 of the differences in practice in public maternity units and private care units, large differences remained between general practitioners and specialists. In a logistic regression, the type of practitioner responsible for care appeared to be the most important factor determining access to ultrasound examination. Independent of other inequalities in the type of antenatal care, three groups of women remained disadvantaged in 1981: women under 20 years old, grand multiparas and women of low educational level. The latter group was particularly disadvantaged. Obstetric pathology has little influence on the overall distribution of ultrasound examinations.
Poisson-Salomon
A S
AS
Breart
G
G
Maillard
F
F
Rumeau-Rouquette
C
C
D000328:Adult; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013038:Specialization; D014463:Ultrasonography