TY - JOUR
T1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UTILIZATION OF PRECONCEPTION CARE SERVICES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE AT THE KORLE BU TEACHING HOSPITAL
AU - Beyuo, Titus
AU - Tandoh, T.
AU - Lawrence, E. R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Objectives: Our study explores the knowledge, perceived importance, utilization, and barriers to preconception care services among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Accra, Ghana. Design: This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Patients and Methods: Participants are pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Interventions and Outcome Measures: Participants completed a questionnaire on demographics and their knowledge, perceived importance, utilization, and barriers to preconception care services. Results: Of 120 participants, 71.7% (n=86) had not heard of preconception care, 76.7% (n=92) did not know any elements involved in preconception care, and 27.5% (n=33) were able to select the appropriate definition. One third of participants (39.2%, n=47) viewed preconception care as important. Only 15.8% (n=19) had personally utilized preconception care; most common components received were folic acid supplementation and management of anaemia. Of those who utilized preconception care, 100% felt the care was beneficial. 21.1% faced a barrier in accessing care, including cultural beliefs, religious beliefs, and lack of time. The majority of all participants (n=75, 62.5%) felt that public education about preconception care could help overcome the barriers. Conclusions: We demonstrate a significant gap in knowledge and awareness of preconception care among pregnant women in Ghana. Women who do receive preconception care have good knowledge about the importance of the care, and universally feel that the care was beneficial. This highlights the importance of public education and healthcare provider counselling on the role, components, and benefits of preconception care.
AB - Objectives: Our study explores the knowledge, perceived importance, utilization, and barriers to preconception care services among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Accra, Ghana. Design: This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Patients and Methods: Participants are pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Interventions and Outcome Measures: Participants completed a questionnaire on demographics and their knowledge, perceived importance, utilization, and barriers to preconception care services. Results: Of 120 participants, 71.7% (n=86) had not heard of preconception care, 76.7% (n=92) did not know any elements involved in preconception care, and 27.5% (n=33) were able to select the appropriate definition. One third of participants (39.2%, n=47) viewed preconception care as important. Only 15.8% (n=19) had personally utilized preconception care; most common components received were folic acid supplementation and management of anaemia. Of those who utilized preconception care, 100% felt the care was beneficial. 21.1% faced a barrier in accessing care, including cultural beliefs, religious beliefs, and lack of time. The majority of all participants (n=75, 62.5%) felt that public education about preconception care could help overcome the barriers. Conclusions: We demonstrate a significant gap in knowledge and awareness of preconception care among pregnant women in Ghana. Women who do receive preconception care have good knowledge about the importance of the care, and universally feel that the care was beneficial. This highlights the importance of public education and healthcare provider counselling on the role, components, and benefits of preconception care.
KW - Ghana
KW - LMIC
KW - maternal health
KW - Preconception care
KW - pregnancy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85189167674&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.60014/pmjg.v10i2.263
DO - 10.60014/pmjg.v10i2.263
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85189167674
SN - 2026-6790
VL - 10
SP - 126
EP - 131
JO - Postgraduate Medical Journal of Ghana
JF - Postgraduate Medical Journal of Ghana
IS - 2
ER -