Eight studies were included: 5 on provision of social support, and 3 on provision of medical care. There were a total of 6356 participants in the social support trials and 1529 in the medical care trials.
Pregnancy outcome: there was no effect of either type of intervention on pre-term delivery rate (summary OR: 1.0, CI:0.8-1.1). A non-significant trend toward a lower rate was observed in the group receiving social support whilst a non-significant trend in the opposite direction was observed in those receiving medical care.
Use of health services: one trial providing support reported a lower rate of hospitalisation in the intervention group (OR:0.6, CI:0.4-0.9). The three trials providing medical care showed no effect (summary OR: 0.9, CI:0.7-1.2).
Knowledge and behaviour: knowledge of services and symptoms of complications was greater in the intervention groups. Women in the intervention groups reported receiving more support and help at home.
Psychological outcomes: one trial examining depression found no effect of intervention during or after pregnancy, although self-reported health was better 6 weeks after delivery.
Women in the intervention group reported more favourable expectations about delivery and greater satisfaction with their medical care. Health habits: the effect of home visits varied from trial-to-trial.