Methodological problems and possible endpoints in the evaluation of antenatal care.

Abstract

Antenatal care is evaluated based on observational trend studies, geographical comparisons, medical audits, and randomized trials. The last method is preferable and should be applied whenever feasible. Most components of antenatal care have not been properly evaluated. In order to evaluate an antenatal care program, a randomized study is suggested using geographical areas as units of randomization.