EVALUATION OF THE LEVEL OF COMPLETENESS OF MATERNITY CARDS FROM POSTPARTUM MOTHERS ASSISTED IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the level of completeness of Maternity Cards (MCs) of women attended for delivery procedures at the University Hospital Ana Bezerra (HUAB) of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Material and Methods: The study sample was composed of 81 postpartum mothers from the HUAB rooming. The data collection was carried out in two stages. First, an interview was performed in order to collect socio-demographic information. Second, the MCs were requested and the information contained therein was transcribed for further analysis. The data were grouped into five dimensions (identification; medical history, current pregnancy; examinations; and ultrasonography). The level of completeness of MCs was classified based on the percentage of fields containing records. Results: Among the MCs evaluated (n=81), 80.2% were classified as poor with regard to completeness, and none was rated as excellent or good. When the level of completeness was evaluated by the dimensions, the following results were found: identification (86.3% - regular); medical history (90.9% - regular); current pregnancy (51.7% - poor); examinations (70.4% - poor); and ultrasonography (81.3% - regular). Conclusion: A low completion rate was found in the MCs analyzed, indicating that many procedures related to prenatal care are failing to be performed and/or recorded. There is a need for continuing education with health professionals in order to raise awareness on the importance of maintaining the quality of health records. DESCRIPTORS Prenatal Care; Health Evaluation; Maternal and Child Health; Comprehensive Health Care.