The discrepancy between the information pregnant women expect and receive in Ireland and the lost opportunity for health promotion and education

Abstract

Introduction The importance of providing health promotion advice and general service information during antenatal care is recognised in Ireland (Department of Health 1995a and 1995b, Maternity and Infant Care Scheme Review Group 1997, Department of Health and Children 2000) and internationally (WHO 2003, 2005). In this paper, the health promoting and service information pregnant women expected to receive during their antenatal care visits was compared with the information they actually received. Methods The data described were collected as part of a larger survey to describe women's experience of antenatal care in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, through quantitative interviews with 500 patients attending the (free) public clinics in the city's three main maternity hospitals. In addition, relevant service providers were surveyed via postal questionnaire. Results The results clearly show a discrepancy between the health promoting and service information women expect to receive during antenatal care and the information received. The findings suggest that the health promoting and educational potential of the antenatal period is not currently capitalised on in Ireland, as has been suggested on a more global basis by the World Health Organisation (WHO 2005). Conclusion A clear definition of responsibility with regard to who should provide patient education and information is required in Irish maternity hospitals along with an evaluation of the practical implications of providing health promotion information to women during the antenatal period.