Knowledge, Believes and Behaviors toward Preconception Care among Women at Childbearing period: Suggested Plan of Action

M. Nabil Aboushady, Reda; Abd El-kareem Hegazy, Mona; M Ebrahim Abd Elnabi, Mona

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2021.215599

Knowledge, Believes and Behaviors toward Preconception Care among Women at Childbearing period: Suggested Plan of Action

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant professor of maternal & Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University

² Lecturer in community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University.

³ Lecturer of maternal & Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt.

10.21608/ejhc.2021.215599

Abstract

Background: Preconception care is a set of interventional care that aims to identify and modify medical, behavioral, psychosocial and social risks for the better maternal and childbirth outcome. Aim: the current study was conducted to appraise knowledge, believes and behaviors toward preconception care among women at childbearing period and design suggested plan of action. Design: a descriptive exploratory research design was adopted. Sample: A purposive sample of 300 participants was recruited in the research through a period of four months. Setting: Outpatient clinics at Maternity hospital, El Galaa teaching hospital. Tools: Four tools were used; 1) - Structured interviewing questionnaire, 2)-Preconception knowledge tool, 3)- Likert belief scale regarding preconception care and 4)- Self-reported behavior regarding preconception care. Results: the mean age of the study sample was 24.30 ±4.56 years with the ranged from 18-34 years. Fifty four percent of the study sample had average knowledge score with mean total knowledge was 46.6 ±4.7 and 79% of them had moderate preconception health beliefs. While, 64% of the study sample had not acceptable preconception health behavior. Conclusion: Women in childbearing period have average knowledge and beliefs towards preconception care. However, they have not acceptable preconception health behavior. Recommendation: Apply health education program to all reproductive women who attend outpatient clinics.

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