ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of system approach to management on prenatal health care in floating population. Methods The prenatal care was managed through establishing "Contact handbook on the health of pregnant women in Shanghai" for 505 lying-in women from the floating population of Minhang District. The condition of antenatal health care, the outcome of gestation and related factors were investigated and the results were compared to those reported in literatures. Results After system approach to management, the rate of having 1 - 3 antenatal examinations accounted for 32.1% ( 162/505 ), that of 4 - 8 examinations accounted for 43.0% ( 217/505 ), that ≥ 9 examinations accounted for 15.6% (79/505), which were higher than that reported by Zhuang Chanjuan (P = 0.001 ). Among 458 responders 185 (40.4% ) thought the cost for prenatal examination was "high" or "too high". Among 293 responders, 211 (72.0%) did not establish the contact handbook due to "not knowing the handbook" or "not clear about the process". The frequency of antenatal examination was associated with education levels of the lying-in women ( P =0.000) , whether their husbands being native Shanghainese or not ( P =0.002)and establishing contact handbood ( P = 0.002). Conclusions System approach to management promotes the utilization of antenatal health care for floating population, establishing contact handbook is a workable method to promote the utilization.