Comparing Antenatal Healthcare Use in Birmingham and Pretoria
Author Information
Author(s): Mark Robert Openshaw, Bomela Hlwelekazi N., Sam Pretlove
Primary Institution: University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Hypothesis
What are the differences in antenatal healthcare use and perceptions between women in Birmingham, UK and Pretoria, South Africa?
Conclusion
Women from Birmingham use healthcare services earlier and more often during pregnancy compared to women from Pretoria.
Supporting Evidence
- Women from Birmingham attended antenatal clinics earlier than those from Pretoria.
- Birmingham women had a median of 11 visits during pregnancy compared to 5 in Pretoria.
- Women from Birmingham could name more conditions affecting pregnancy than those from Pretoria.
Takeaway
Women in Birmingham go to the doctor sooner and more often when they're pregnant than women in Pretoria, South Africa.
Methodology
A comparative cross-sectional pilot study involving structured interviews with postnatal women in Birmingham and Pretoria.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the sample being limited to women who gave birth in hospitals.
Limitations
The study may not represent the general Black population in South Africa as it only included women who attended antenatal clinics.
Participant Demographics
In Birmingham, 64% Caucasian, 23% Asian, 10% Afro-Caribbean; in Pretoria, 100% black South Africans.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p ≤ .0001
Statistical Significance
p ≤ .0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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