KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF PRECONCEPTION CARE AMONG PHYSICIANS WORKING IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS IN AL-KARKH DISTRICT, BAGHDAD 2025

Background: Preconception care refers to a comprehensive set of health services provided before pregnancy, aimed at identifying and modifying risk factors that contribute to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and result in reduction of both morbidity and mortality, making it a highly effective preventive and cost-efficient approach. Unlike antenatal care, which begins after conception, preconception care addresses the critical period of embryonic development that often occurs before pregnancy is even recognized, thereby filling an important gap in the maternal and child health continuum. Providing quality preconception care is considered a core responsibility of primary care physicians, as they maintain continuous contact with families across different stages of life. Participants and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 24 primary healthcare centers that belongs to seven districts under the Baghdad Al-Karkh Health directorate from the 1st of February to the 31st of July 2025, Data collected using applied 3 sections containing questionnaire by direct interview with 150 physicians who had been working in primary healthcare centers for more than six months. Results: In this study the result was 58(38.7%) had good knowledge, 71(47.3%) had average Knowledge, and 21(14%) had poor knowledge, good knowledge was significantly higher among physicians with diploma/board certifications in family medicine (48.1%) (p=0.002), married participants (41%) (p=0.004), physicians who managed less than 50 patients per day (42.5%) (p=0.009), physicians with 6-10 years of experience (56.7%) (p=0.035), and no significant association was found with gender or age. Regarding practice score, 59 (39.3%) had good practice, 69 (46%) had average practice and 22 (14.7%) had poor practice, good practice was significantly higher among female physicians (43.8%) (p=0.015), physicians who managed less than 50 patients per day (49.4%) (p=0.015), other variables (Age, marital status, years of experience and highest educational level) didn’t show statistically significant associations with practice of preconception care. Conclusion: Physicians demonstrated average knowledge and practice in preconception care, with few achieving high levels and some showing poor levels. While understanding of laboratory investigations, safe medication use, and lifestyle modifications was satisfactory, there were gaps in timing and certain screening practices. The delivery of preconception care was inconsistent due to structural barriers like limited time and resources. The link between knowledge and practice highlights the necessity for targeted training, guideline dissemination, and the integration of preconception care into primary care to enhance maternal-neonatal outcomes.