ABSTRACT
In order to assess the impact of the number of antenatal consultations (CPN) on the foetal and maternal morbidity and mortality, a prospective survey has been carried out in 1999, in the health district of Ziguinchor, Senegal. The investigation was led in seven health facilities which offered obstetrical cares, from January 1 to march 31, over a sample of 862 delivered women and 870 newborns. The number of antenatal consultations was zero in 26 cases (3%), one in 130 cases (15%), two in 198 cases (23%), three in 302 cases, and more than three in 206 cases (24%). Three elements of the mothers' profile have a statistically significant influence on the number of antenatal consultations: the delivery facilities, the ethnic groups, and the caesarean antecedent. For the other elements, the test is not significant. The number of antenatal consultations has a statistically significant link with: eclampsia, abruptio placentae, distich and maternal death. Some elements of the mothers' profile seem to be a cause of morbidity and mortality of children and women. In fact, we have notice: a statistically significant link between the health facilities and the dystocy; and between ethnic groups and abruptio placentae; an impossibility of drawing conclusion for the other cases. In short, the eclampsia and the maternal death are the only elements which seem to be improved by an increasing number of CPN without any influence of external factors.
