STUDY OF ORGANIZATION AND USE OF MATERNITY SERVICES IN VIANA DO CASTELO DISTRICT--PORTUGAL.
Contributors: University Of Exeter (United Kingdom)
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 405
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Available from UMI in association with The British Library.

Improvements in the coverage and quality of care in the maternity sector were identified as one of the most important targets of the Health Services in the District of Viana do Castelo in Portugal. The need for an evaluation of the maternity services provided in this District was the motivation for the research described in this thesis.

Aspects of the existing maternity services are studied aiming to identify specific features which might be developed to improve services in a near future. The population under investigation consisted of all births taking place in 1980 to mothers normally resident in Viana do Castelo District. Some general concepts of health care delivery are summarized together with a description of the health care system in Portugal. The specific objectives of the main survey of births and the methodology used are described. A mathematical model for infant growth during the first months of life is developed and the results are shown.

The main findings of the birth survey are presented. Analysing the characteristics of the population, it was found that a relatively high proportion of mothers showed disadvantages in terms of the conventional risk factors associated with a poor pregnancy outcome and therefore needed a high uptake of care. An evaluation of the services provided during the ante-natal period was performed. It was found that the pattern of ante-natal care provided falls far short of the District ante-natal care policy. Late foetal, perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality and the distribution of indicators of maturity were analysed in terms of the population characteristics. Similar results were obtained when indicators of maturity were considered. The lack of efficiency of the health services in implementing the agreed policy that all deliveries should be performed by trained personnel and surveillance should be provided during the post-natal period, can be ascertained.

Attention is drawn to the allocation of resources to the various sectors of the health centre services.

Recommendations for improvements in the health services provided in the District of Viana do Castelo are suggested. The importance of a health information system and of the use of mathematical models for monitoring and planning the health services is stressed. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-02, Section: B, page: 0362.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF EXETER (UNITED KINGDOM), 1987.

School code: 5016.