Knowledge level and practice on preconception care among women attending reproductive health clinic in Kibaha district, Coast region Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Low level of preconception care is a big challenge globally where many people of reproductive age are facing a lot of challenges due to poor knowledge and practice on preconception care. Proper information and utilization of preconception care to the community will help greatly in reducing risks that may arise to the mother and her unborn baby before pregnancy, during pregnancy and after delivery as well as decreasing the burden of high maternal mortality and morbidity as well as neonate mortality and morbidity. Aim: This study aims on assessing the knowledge and practice of pre-conception care among women attending Reproductive Health Clinics in Kibaha District. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design with a quantitative approach was used. A probability sampling method using a simple random technique was used to select 424 women of reproductive age who completed the structured questionnaires. The SPSS version 20 was used to analyze data. Mean and standard deviation was calculated based on knowledge and practice regarding preconception care. Proportions were calculated and compared using logistic regression. In all the analyses 95% confidence intervals and p values were used to determine statistical significance whereby a p-value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Among 424 participants of the knowledge level and practice of preconception care the results indicated that 285 (64.48%) have knowledge and 102(33.06%) practice preconception care. Mean knowledge and practice scores were 9.48(SD) and 6.81 (SD) respectively. Age influences the knowledge of preconception care higher by 0.081 relative to the knowledge of preconception care of respondents with younger respondents. Knowledge of preconception care was influenced by information obtained from midwives and doctors by 5.032 times those who accessed information using other means. Media was also found to have a significant influence on knowledge of preconception care by 5.094 relatives higher than means of accessing information. About 71% of the women were not able to get a chance to do any screening of their health before pregnancy whereas only 29% were able to do screening, 82% of the respondents showed not to have taken folic acid at the time they fill to get pregnant and only 22% showed otherwise while about 97% of women did not take any consideration on healthy eating before pregnancy whereas only 3% revealed otherwise. Lack of proper information and measures to enhance the practice of preconception care is the leading challenge. Conclusion and Recommendations: Results in this study indicate that there is inadequate knowledge of preconception care which leads to poor practice. There is a need for comprehensive strategies by the MoHSW, midwives and educators to ensure that the community receive proper information and practice it. Advocacy programs geared at increasing public awareness on the importance of preconception care among women of reproductive age for a healthy pregnancy, healthy babies as well a healthy community.