Knowledge and perceptions of preconception care among health workers and women of reproductive age in Mzuzu City, Malawi: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Preconception care is one of the preventive strategies in maternal and new-born health as recommended by WHO. However, in sub-Saharan Africa there is poor preconception care practices. This study examined knowledge and perceptions of preconception care among health workers and women of reproductive age group in Mzuzu City, Malawi. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a mixed methods approach. Selection of respondents was done through a multistage and purposive sampling techniques respectively. A total of 253 women of reproductive age from nine townships of Mzuzu City responded to the questionnaire and 20 health workers were interviewed. Results A total of 136 (54%) respondents had heard of preconception care. About 57.7% (n = 146) demonstrated a good level of knowledge of preconception care while 42.3% (n = 107) had poor knowledge. About 72% (n = 105) of those with good of knowledge of preconception care, lacked awareness on possibilities of talking to a health care provider on intentions of getting pregnant. About 74.7% (n = 189) of women had a positive perception towards preconception care. Knowledge of preconception care was a good predictor of positive perception (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.2–5.0), however its predictability was influenced by the academic level attained. Those with secondary (AOR = 10.2; 95% CI 3.2–26.2) and tertiary (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.1–4.9) were more likely to have good knowledge of preconception care than those with primary school education level. About 95% (n = 19) of health workers lacked details about preconception care but they admitted their role in preconception care. Conclusion Preconception care practice among health workers and women of reproductive age in Mzuzu City was low. However there was positive perception towards preconception care in both parties. There is an opportunity in existing platforms for implementation of interventions targeting identified predictors for increased knowledge and uptake of preconception care.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice on preconception care among pregnant women at National Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan

“…Majority of the participants (88.5%) agreed that they will recommend other for PCC. This positive attitude was associated with high level of good knowledge and influence the utilization of PCC services, similar to that reported in many studies done in Nigeria, Malawi, and China 12,13,19 .…”

“…Attitude is an important factor that enhances the utilization of PCC services and knowledge level. Majority (98.2%) of the participants in our study had a positive attitude towards PCC, which was better than a study done in Malawi (74.7%) 13 . Most of the participants (90.6%) agreed that PCC is for risk identification and for better outcome of the pregnancy and the fetus.…”

“…The findings of this study showed that the overall level of knowledge on PCC among these pregnant women was good (63.8%) with positive attitude (98.2%) but poor practice (78.2%) of PCC services. Out of 340 pregnant women, 63.8% had good knowledge, which was higher than some of the studies done in Hawassa city (20%), North Ethiopia (27.5%), Malawi(57.7%) and Nepal (30.5%) 4,13,16 . The finding was comparable to a study done in Sri Lanka (60.4%) but lower than a study done in China (71.2%) 18,19 .…”

“…The questionnaire was designed based on a thorough review of literatures on PCC and on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) tools 12,13,15 . The questionnaire was then reviewed by a team of experts which included two gynecologists, a family physician, and a medical officer for its content and construct validity.…”

“…Numerous factors are associated with uptake of PCC, including knowledge, attitude and practice on PCC by women. For successful implementation and uptake of PCC services, adequate level of knowledge and positive attitude of women are important 12,13 . With many challenges in developing countries, where practice of PCC is evolving, assessing the level of knowledge, attitude and level of practice is important.…”