Vulnerability of pregnant women living in a community of Metropolitan Santiago

Abstract

The program "Chile grows with you" is a part of the Chilean social protection system oriented to decrease social inequities from pregnancy (a socially secure pregnancy) to four years of age, directed to the poorest 40% of the population. To determine the incidence of social vulnerability and its determinants, starting at the gestation period. Data was obtained from anonymous secondary data based on the records of the first assessment of pregnant women and from social protection surveys, provided by the Ministry of Planning and Cooperation. The incidence of social vulnerability was high. However there was a disparity between the figures obtained from the social protection records and the survey carried out during the first assessment of pregnant women (91 and 27% respectively). The psychosocial risk was higher among vulnerable women (42% compared to 28% among women not considered vulnerable). This risk was associated with lack of family support, depressive symptoms, gender violence, substance abuse and maternity conflicts. Working conditions were precarious with a low level of social security, there were habitability problems, disability, dependency, female householders and a mean income below the threshold of poverty. Among vulnerable families, there are adverse determinants that attempt against a socially secure pregnancy and integral development of children.