The relationship between socioeconomic indicators during pregnancy and gynecological appointment at any time after childbirth

BACKGROUND: The rates of receipt of postnatal care vary widely between high and low-middle income countries. This study aimed to examine the association between indicators of socioeconomic status during pregnancy and gynecological appointment at any time after childbirth (GA). METHODS: a prospective cohort study with pregnant women recruited from 10 primary care clinics of the public sector in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Socioeconomic characteristics and obstetric information were obtained through a questionnaire administered during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Adjusted risk ratios (RR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Eight hundred and thirty one pregnant women were included in the study during the antenatal period and 701 were re-assessed during the postnatal period. Among them, 283 (59.6) attended a gynecological consultation. After adjusting for covariates, higher socioeconomic status during pregnancy was associated with greater risk of having a GA (RR:1.23, CI 95 %:1.05:1.45 for family per capita monthly income; RR:1.19, CI 95 % 1.01:1.40 for asset score). CONCLUSION: In this sample, the attendance for GA was above average and women with higher socio-economic status were more likely to have receipt of such care. Special efforts should be made to improve the attendance and frequency of gynecological consultations after childbirth among poorer women.