NONUSE OF PRENATAL-CARE - IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL-WORK INVOLVEMENT

A qualitative study of reasons for nonuse of prenatal care was conducted over a 10-month period in 1988 and 1989. Through personal interviews with 44 women who did not obtain prenatal care, four categories of reasons for nonuse were identified: (1) the women's lifestyles differed from mainstream society; (2) the women believed prenatal care was important, but stressful events in their lives took priority; (3) the women attempted to receive care but were discouraged, turned away, or given poor information by service delivery system personnel; and (4) the women did not want the baby. These reasons clearly indicate a need for social services intervention.