A study of an urban health centre: factors influencing contact with mothers and their babies

Summary Some insight into the use of the primary care team was provided by a study of encounters with families with infants. The demand for primary care was large, and varied greatly depending on the circumstances of the family. Using statistical models, five possible influences on contact were examined - the presence of other children in the family, distance from the surgery, the family's socioeconomic grouping, maternal age, and maternal depression. Having more than one child and living close to the surgery increased the likelihood of a home visit by the doctor. There were proportionately more visits by the health visitors to first-time mothers who were depressed, and this was unaffected by distance. The baby clinic was a popular meeting place, particularly for first-time mothers, and attendance showed no obvious social class bias. The degree of help sought by mothers, in terms of the number of contacts, appeared disproportionate to the child's physical problems. This indicates that more research is needed into the appropriateness of many contacts, and the extent to which the practice team is the most effective source of help.