OBJECTIVES: to asses antenatal care adequacy offered to pregnant women in the Brazilian Public Health System (BPHS), in the city of Recife, in the State of Pernambuco. METHODS: a cross-sectional study of 612 women seen assisted during delivery in two BPHS units, with high risk pregnancies referrals in Recife, from June to October 2004. Antenatal care assessment was based on the criteria of the Humane Antenatal and Delivery Program of the Ministry of Health. RESULTS: antenatal coverage averaged 96.1% and the median of medical visits was of 5.3. Only 38.0% of the women initiated antenatal care by the fourth month of pregnancy and made six or more medical consults. Among the respondents, 31% had weight, arterial pressure, uterine fundus height and cardiofetal heartbeats measured in all medical visits. Antenatal care was considered adequate in 17.8% of the cases and inadequate in 82.2% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: available antenatal care for pregnant women in Recife city has ample coverage, but it should be reviewed from a quality standpoint.
Pregnancy women; Quality of health care; Pre-natal care
