Users of public health service's perception of prenatal care

Abstract

Aim: to identify perceptions from pregnant women who are users of public health service in order to improve prenatal care. Methods: qualitative study. Data collection was conducted through interviews with 44 pregnant women who received prenatal care in primary health care unit in Maringá-PR, from November 2009 to February 2010. Data analysis was done by the Collective Subject Discourse technique with the aid of the Qualiquantisoft software. The speeches drew to Central Ideas that express the pregnant women’s suggestions and perceptions about prenatal care. Results: it was identified that users advise dialogue and orientation on prenatal consultations, the importance of groups of pregnant women, the need for health professionals to attend prenatal care, the relevance of examinations and consultations. Conclusion: the pregnant women’s perceptions allow to know what the real needs felt by them are and improve the health service to attend these events