Smoking prevalence among pregnant women under control in the municipal clinics of Quinta Normal commune (Metropolitan Region, Chile)

Abstract

The prevalence and intensity of smoking during pregnancy, as registered in the antenatal care files of three public clinics in one of the urban communes of Santiago (2006), were measured. The prevalence level was 31,46%; it was lower in women 20 years of age and over (p=0.07) and in those with higher education (p=0.004). Registration omission was 19,1%. I note the feasibility of capturing, from routine registers, such an important datum on one of the main health determinants. The procedure should be generalized and the information should be included in a set of indicators designed for continuous monitoring of priorities and disparities in health at the local level.