Perception and Level of Knowledge on Preconception Care Uptake Among Women of Child Bearing Age Attending Reproductive Health Clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Background: Provision of care to adolescent girls and women before and between pregnancies improves their overall health. It also improves the pregnancy outcomes and the health of the new-born. There are many health related conditions that have an impact on maternal and neonatal health. There is paucity of information regarding the uptake of pre conception care and the effects thereof in regard to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The main aim of this study was to assess the Preconception Care (PCC) given to women of child bearing age at Kenyatta National Hospital Reproductive Health clinic. Methods: This was a descriptive prospective study that employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The targeted population included the antenatal and postnatal women attended to at these clinics. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents and the care providers were also interviewed. A total of 224 women of childbearing age who met the inclusion criteria were selected by convenient sampling technique and interviewed by use of questioners between December 2017 and March 2018. Content validity was ascertained by use of the test re-test method to establish reliability comparing with a Cronbach Alpha Reliability coefficient value. Data analysis was done by use of SPSS version 22; descriptive and inferential statistical tools like simple and multiple regressions were employed to establish association between the study variables and Chi square was used to establish if the association between independent and dependent variables were significant. Findings: Nineteen percent (19%, n=40) of the women knew about preconception care. There was positive attitude with 75.5% of the respondents stating that preconception care would improve the chances of having a healthy baby. Uptake was poor with only 23.1% had uptake of preconception care services despite the fact that 49.1% had received information on PCC. Conclusion: Women attending KNH reproductive clinic have –limited knowledge about PCC. Most of the women have positive attitude towards PCC but poor PCC practices.