Antenatal Care in Europe: Varying Ways of Providing High-Coverage Services

Citation

Hemminki, Elina; Blondel, Béatrice; Bikas, D.; Buekens, Pierre; Delvaux, Thérèse; Langhoff-Roos, J.; Gissler, Mika; Geraedts, Max; Valassi-Adam, E.; & Comerford, A., et al. (2001). Antenatal Care in Europe: Varying Ways of Providing High-Coverage Services. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 94(1), 145-148.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the organizational characteristics of antenatal care and their relation to the utilization of health services and perinatal mortality in 13 European countries.
Methods: The main data source was a questionnaire on the organization and financing of antenatal care, filled out in 1995 by country representatives of a European Concerted Action.
Results: Thirteen systems for providing antenatal care were found. No clear grouping by organizational characteristics (uniformity, main care providers, integration, continuity of care, physical site, financing) emerged. Organizational characteristics and the utilization of antenatal services or perinatal mortality did not relate to each other.
Conclusions: There is no single way to provide high-coverage services. Further studies are needed to relate organization characteristics to health impact, costs, and patient satisfaction.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0301-2115(00)00304-3

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2001

Journal Title

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Author(s)

Hemminki, Elina
Blondel, Béatrice
Bikas, D.
Buekens, Pierre
Delvaux, Thérèse
Langhoff-Roos, J.
Gissler, Mika
Geraedts, Max
Valassi-Adam, E.
Comerford, A.
Bacci, A.
Backe, B.
Barros, H.
Gonzalez Gonzalez, A.
Lindmark, G.
Buitendijk, S.
de Caestecker, L.