Development and validation of preconception care improvement scale (PCIS) in a resource-limited setting

Abstract

Background Preconception care helps to close the gaps in a continuum of care. It is of paramount importance to reduce maternal and child adverse pregnancy outcomes, increase the utilization of services such as antenatal care, skilled delivery care, and post-natal care, and improve the lives of future generations. Therefore, a validated instrument is required. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the preconception care improvement scale (PCIS) in a resource-limited setting. Methods A mixed-method study was carried out from 02, March to 10, April 2019 in Manna district, Oromia region, Ethiopia to test the reliability and validity of the scale. Items were generated from literatures review, in-depth interviews with different individuals, and focused group discussions with women of reproductive age groups. A pretested structured questionnaire was used and a survey was conducted among 623 pregnant women in the district. The collected data were entered into EPI-data version 3.1 software and exported to SPSS version 23 software and data were analyzed for internal consistency and validity using reliability analysis and factor analysis. Results The PCIS has 17 items loaded into six factors: Substance-related behaviors, screening for common non-communicable and infectious diseases, micronutrient supplementation and vaccination, seeking advice, decision and readiness for conception, and screening for sexually transmitted diseases. Factor analysis accounted for 67.51% of the observed variance. The internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) of the scale was 0.776. Diversified participants of the qualitative study and experts’ discussions assured the face and content validity of the scale. Factor loading indicated the convergent validity of the scale. Three of the PCIS subscale scores had a positive and significant association with the practice of preconception care and antenatal care visits, which confirmed the predictive validity of the scale. Conclusion The PCIS exhibited good reliability, face validity, content validity, convergent validity, and predictive validity. Thus, the scale is valid and helps to improve preconception care, especially in resource-limited settings.

Broadening the life course framework: the implications of the Charter for the Rights of Children yet to be Conceived proposed by First 1000 Days Australia

“…The Charter's emphasis on the preconception period represents a crucial contribution to this discourse. It resonates with recent calls for a life-course approach to health, emphasising the role of preconception conditions in determining future health outcomes (Hall et al, 2023;Pentecost & Meloni, 2020;Stephenson et al, 2018;Teshome et al, 2022;World Health Organization, 2014).…”

Identificación de oportunidades y su impacto en las intenciones de emprendimiento

“…En la Tabla 4 se puede observar que para las intenciones de emprendimiento e identificación de oportunidades, el valor del estadístico alfa de Cronbach en las escalas utilizadas para las variables es fiable y consistente que, como explican Loch et al (2021) y Teshome et al (2022), se encuentra en el rango correcto (0,7 -0,9) con una consistencia casi perfecta.…”

“…Estos resultados concuerdan con otros que consideran el reconocimiento de oportunidades como un antecedente para predecir la intención emprendedora (Puni et al, 2018), mientras que algunos académicos lo han mostrado como el sucesor del proceso de intención emprendedora (Asante y Affum-Ossei, 2019;Jarvis, 2016), aunque hay poca literatura disponible en el medio ecuatoriano sobre la identificación de oportunidades y la relación de intenciones de emprendimiento. Por otra parte, los niveles altos o bajos que puedan darse también se ven influenciados por el tamaño de la muestra que se utilice porque, como lo expresan Teshome et al (2022), el alfa de Cronbach tiende a ser menos fiable (valor < 0.7) cuando el tamaño de la muestra es muy pequeño.…”

Preconception-Health-Related Attitudes of Bulgarian Women of Reproductive Age

“…PC is a subject that may be learned through education or experience. According to studies, women who receive prenatal care are more informed and frequently manifest risk-reducing behaviors [ 6 , 7 ]. Women who receive prenatal care also use folic acid more often throughout the advised time frame.…”

“…A previous study found that women who receive PC interventions are more knowledgeable about prevention strategies, and even brief counselling can increase their understanding of both general and specific preconception health concerns. Murphy et al indicated that PC is linked to better pregnancy management and a lower chance of negative pregnancy results [ 7 ]. Dorney et al reported that GPs could significantly increase both men’s and women’s access to preconception health counselling and evaluation services [ 8 ].…”