KNOWLEDGE AND UTILIZATION OF PRECONCEPTION CARE SERVICES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE AT THE KORLE BU TEACHING HOSPITAL

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.