Pointing towards good prenatal control as a health indicator in Paraguay: scope 2020 to 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Timely reporting and limited coverage of prenatal care remain a challenge in Paraguay, affecting the accuracy of maternal and child health data.

Objective: To analyze data related to prenatal care as a health indicator in Paraguay during the period 2020-2023.

Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study was conducted using data from the Perinatal Information System (SIP PLUS) in the X Health Region - Alto Paraná, the XVI Health Region - Boquerón, and the General Hospital Barrio Obrero (HGBO) of the XVIII Health Region - Capital.

Results: Variations in prenatal care coverage were observed. In the X Health Region, the proportion of women with at least four prenatal visits decreased from 74.39% in 2020 to 58.27% in 2023, while it increased in the XVI Health Region (from 49.99% to 53.43%) and HGBO (from 66.17% to 72.00%). Early initiation of prenatal care improved: in the X Health Region, it increased from 24.39% to 32.66%, in the XVI Health Region from 8.97% to 16.10%, and in HGBO it reached 34.27%. Adolescent pregnancy remains higher in the XVI Health Region (13.17%) and to a lesser extent in HGBO (0.11%). Low birth weight was more common in HGBO (10.71%) than in the X Health Region (5.51%) and the XVI Health Region (7.85%).

Discussion: SIP PLUS has facilitated the systematization of perinatal data, but expanding its coverage is necessary to improve data quality and decision-making in public health.