Influence of social support during pregnancy among low-income pregnant in the Brazilian largest city

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the social support nets and the presence of stress agents, during the gestation, on the birth weight. Methodology: It has been carried out a cohort study of 126 pregnant women interviewed on their prenatal consultations in 5 UBS (Basic Health Units) in the Brazilian largest city (São Paulo). There has been collected socio-economical, obstetrics, life style and social support nets information. The data referring to the newborn were transcribed from the promptuaries of the hospitals. For analysis of the data it has been realized multiple linear regression. Results: After adjustment of the confusion variables, the absence of a partner realized to be associated to a reduction of 314g on the average birth weight (p=0,002). It has also been detected a negative association to the presence of alcoholism in the family – reduction of 208g of the average birth weight (p=0,05) and in extreme privation of material resources a reduction of 325g (p=0,03). Conclusion: the support nets and the presence of stress agents during the gestation exercises influence on the birth weight and might to be a target pf studies with a bigger sample size including a qualitative approach.
Key-words: social support nets, stress agents, pregnancy, birth weight, cohort.