Receiving Preconception Care in Three Areas and Its Relationship With Individual Characteristics in Women

Background: Pre-pregnancy care is an important measure to check the risk factors leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the status of receiving pre-pregnancy care in the three areas of risk factor assessment, education and intervention and its relationship with women's individual characteristics. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 702 women who gave birth in hospitals in Isfahan city (Iran) from April to June 2016 using a multi-stage random sampling method using interviews and researcher-made questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics methods (chi-square) and spss software (p<0.05). Results: According to the results of the study, 47.7% of people received pre pregnancy care. In the area of risk factors assessment, education and intervention, the most performed actions were, respectively, conducting laboratory tests with 97.6%, taking medicinal supplements with 94% and treating the chronic disease in all cases. Providing care in the area of risk factor assessment had a significant positive relationship with education (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that there are deficiencies in providing three important areas of pre-pregnancy care. Given the impact of this function on outcome of pregnancy, health care managers and health care providers should pay special attention to providing precise preconception care to all reproductive women. Educating the target groups and sensitizing them to the importance of this care and how to do it can be effective in improving this service.