[Promotion of mother-infant health: a comparative study of legislation of pregnancy protection].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the legislative measures aimed at protecting working women during pregnancy, which exist in France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain.


METHODS
The aspects studied were employment protection and modifications in work conditions for the pregnant woman. Existing Spanish legislation, the third Programme of Community Action for Equal Opportunities and some relevant scientific articles were reviewed.


RESULTS
Regarding protection of pregnant women from dismissal, legislation is more explicit in France and Italy, where protection covers the whole of the pregnancy, extending in France until 4 weeks after the end of the period off-work for the birth and in Italy until the child is one year old. Likewise, both in France and Italy, there is a long list of jobs which a pregnant woman is not allowed to do, with the possibility of a change of post if necessary. In Spain there is a Health at Work draft law, where measures relating to this question have been assembled.


CONCLUSIONS
In general, the legislation referring to the protection of pregnant women at work is not widely known and leaves without protection those women in a more vulnerable work situation. Health professionals could support the equality and health of working women by informing them adequately of their rights.
Mas Pons
R
R
Institut Valencià d'Estudis en Salut Pública (IVESP).
Hernández Díaz
J
J
Escribà Agüir
V
V
Colomer Revuelta
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016524:Parental Leave / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D014933:Women's Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014931:Women, Working / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
Promoción de la salud maternoinfantil: estudio comparativo de la legislación para la protección del embarazo.