Lack of prenatal care in a traditional community: trends and perinatal outcomes

To describe the prevalence of lack of prenatal care (LOPC) over the years and to examine the association between LOPC and perinatal complications among Bedouin parturients. A retrospective study comparing all singleton births of Bedouin women with and without prenatal care, between the years 1988 and 2009, was conducted. Multiple logistic regression models were used to control for confounders. Out of 123,506 singleton deliveries, 16.5% (n = 20,402) were of women lacking prenatal care. A gradual increase in the rate of LOPC was noted between the years 2006 and 2009. Using multivariable analyses, controlling for parity, LOPC was found to be significantly associated with preterm delivery (PTD) < 37 weeks (odds ratio (OR) 1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.19), PTD < 34 weeks (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.40-1.67), low birth weight < 2,500 g (LBW; OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.32-1.46), very LBW < 1,500 g (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.49-1.86), and perinatal mortality (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.47-1.80). Lack of prenatal care in a traditional community is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes and specifically is an independent risk factor for preterm delivery, low birth weight, and perinatal mortality.