Education of women about the prevention of preterm birth

Objectives: To describe: 1) the education of pregnant women by health care professionals about the prevention of preterm birth; and 2) professionals' views about future initiatives. Background: A population survey of health professionals was conducted in Eastern Ontario. The response rate was 73% (608/835). Results: Education materials for women receiving prenatal care about the prevention of (preterm birth were available from 10% (12/115) of family physicians, 40% (23/58) of obstetricians, 19% (57/306) of labour room nurses and 76% (94/124) of the prenatal teachers. Only one third of physicians routinely discussed the signs and symptoms of preterm labour prior to 20 weeks. practitioners' future priorities were smoking cessation programs for pregnant women and increased attendance at early prenatal classes. Conclusions: Most women are not being educated by anyone in the health care tram about the prevention of preterm birth. There is a need for multidisciplinary guidelines about the timing and type of information for women about risk reduction and the early identification and treatment of preterm labour.