Table 1

Baseline sociodemographic and obstetrical characteristics of the women, according to group

Characteristic
Support
(n = 105)
Control
(n = 107)

Age [mean in years (range)]
20.6 (13–42)
20.1 (14–36)
In a stable union (n)
80 (76.2%)
92 (85.9%)
Secondary education (n)
103 (98.1%)
106 (99.1%)
Religious (n)
96 (91.4%)
100 (93.4%)
Non-white skin color (n)
79 (75.2%)
75 (70.1%)
Housewife (n)
63 (60.0%)
67 (62.6%)
Start of prenatal care (GA < 28 weeks) (n)
101 (96.2%)
103 (96.3%)
Number of prenatal visits ≥ 6 (n)
84 (85.0%)
84 (78.5%)
Accompanied during prenatal care (n)
44 (41.9%)
54 (50.5%)
Participated in classes for pregnant women (n)
16 (15.2%)
16 (14.9%)
Gestational age at delivery [mean in weeks (range)]
39.2 (37–42)
39.0 (37–42)
Cervical dilation at admission [mean in cm (range)]
3.9 (3–6)
3.9 (3–6)
Cervical effacement ≥ 80% (n)
75 (71.4%)
68 (63.6%)
Intact amniotic membrane (n)
82 (78.1%)
83 (77.6%)

There were no statistically significant differences between the groups.

Bruggemann et al. Reproductive Health 2007 4:5   doi:10.1186/1742-4755-4-5