Awareness and perception of preconception care among women in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Preconception care is an interventions aim to identify and modify biomedical, behavioral and social risks to pregnancy through prevention and management, emphasizing factors that must be acted upon before conception or in early pregnancy to have maximal impact. Objective: The aim of the study is to assess awareness and perception of preconception care among women. Method: A cross-sectional study conducted at UDUTH Sokoto, Nigeria, from 5 February to 1 March, 2018. A total of 131 women were recruited by simple random sampling technique via the ante-natal care clinic, using semi-structured interviewer questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 and the results were presented in tables and charts. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There ages ranged between 16 years to 46 years and 32.8% (43/131) were within 26-30 years with a mean of 28.10 ± 6.064. Only 20.61% of them were aware of preconception care. There was significant association between awareness and the patient's tribe as well as employment status at P value 0.004 and 0.017 respectively. Among those who were unaware, 88.46% will accept if offered while, about 45.75% of those who declined believed it was not necessary. Conclusion: There was poor awareness but good perception and acceptability of preconception care. Therefore, there is a need to create awareness and incorporate it into routine maternal healthcare services to achieve better feto-maternal outcome.

Keywords

• Antenatal care clinic
• awareness
• perception
• preconception care
• women