Improving prenatal care access for pregnant women in rural areas

Optimizing Access to Care During Pregnancy in Rural Areas in a Perinatal Health

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand · NCT04823104

This study tests if home visits for prenatal care can help pregnant women in rural areas get better health services and improve outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment330 (estimated)
Ages12 Years to 50 Years
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand Academic / other
Locations1 site (Clermont-Ferrand, Aura)
Trial IDNCT04823104 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of home visitation for prenatal care in rural areas where access to maternity wards is limited. Pregnant women living in isolated regions will be randomly assigned to receive either home visits for prenatal follow-up or standard care at maternity wards. The home visits will include essential health services such as ultrasound screenings and blood tests, aiming to enhance maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The study seeks to determine if this approach can improve prenatal care access and reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with delayed care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are pregnant women living in geographic areas with limited access to maternity care who can communicate in French.

Not a fit: Patients who live outside the designated geographic vulnerable areas or those giving birth in non-local maternity wards may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve prenatal care access and health outcomes for pregnant women in rural areas.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown that home visitation can improve access to care and health outcomes, suggesting this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* At the first antenatal consultation, confirming the pregnancy.
* Pregnant women who live in an area of geographic vulnerability covered by a perinatal network
* The women must be informed about the study, understand, read, and speak French, and must be able to consent to participate in medical research

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant women who live outside an area of geographic vulnerability covered by a perinatal network
* Women who give birth in a maternity ward outside Auvergne
* Women from another region giving birth in a maternity ward in Auvergne

Where this trial is running

Clermont-Ferrand, Aura

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions PregnancyLiving in an Isolated AreaHome visitationIsolated geographic area
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.