[Barriers and facilitators to antenatal care in adolescents: results of a qualitative study in Chile].
OBJECTIVE
Analyze barriers and facilitators of access to prenatal care in pregnant urban adolescents between 15-19 years of age in Santiago, Chile.


METHODS
Qualitative study based on grounded theory with 17 adolescent mothers. Eleven semi-structured interviews and one focus group were conducted.


RESULTS
. The denial and concealment of pregnancy is the main barrier to start the prenatal care in the "delayed access group". This group does not identify facilitators. For maintenance in antenatal care, all participants identified a support figure as a facilitator. Family and social vulnerabilities explain why some adolescents start the prenatal care late.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of facilitators is crucial for both, the timely entry and the maintenance in antenatal care because they reduce or nullify the effect of barriers. The health system must become a facilitator to accompany adolescents and promote a bond of trust and respect.
Centro de Epidemiología y Políticas de Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
Lucy
L
Poffald
Centro de Epidemiología y Políticas de Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
Macarena
M
Hirmas
Centro de Epidemiología y Políticas de Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
Ximena
X
Aguilera
Centro de Epidemiología y Políticas de Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
Jeanette
J
Vega
Facultad Latinoamericana De Ciencias Sociales., Chile.
María José
MJ
González
Centro de Epidemiología y Políticas de Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
Gabriel
G
Sanhueza
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D055815:Young Adult