Knowledge of Preconception Care and Associated Factors among Healthcare Providers Working in Public Health Institutions in Awi Zone, North West Ethiopia, 2019: Institutional-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background. Preconception care is a set of interventional care for the better maternal and childbirth outcome. Nevertheless, this area still faces implementation problems in most of the developing countries including Ethiopia. Objective. To assess the knowledge of preconception care and associated factors among healthcare providers working in public health institutions in Awi zone, North West Ethiopia. Method. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 660 healthcare providers working in public health institutions in Awi zone, North West Ethiopia. A pretested structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data from individual healthcare providers who were selected randomly using a multistage sampling technique. The data entry and analysis were conducted using SPSS version 25 software. Frequency, proportions, means, and standard deviations were used to describe the data. Candidate variables at bivariate logistic regression with a p value > 0.2 were moved to multivariable logistic regression models, and statistical significance was declared at p value < 0.05 with 95% confidence interval. Result. Among the total of 660 healthcare providers, 344 (52%) had good knowledge of preconception care. The odds ratio of having good knowledge of preconception care was high among healthcare providers working at hospitals [AOR=2.316, 95% CI: 1.900-5.528], using smartphones [AOR=3.177, 95% CI: 1.945-5.167], presence of preconception care guidelines at health institutions [AOR=3.166, 95% CI: 1.872-5.299], taking training on preconception care education and counseling [AOR=3.812, 95% CI: 2.241-6.581], taking training about human immune virus [AOR=4.911, 95% CI: 3.008-8.123], and attending training on increasing public awareness of preconception health and care [AOR=2.345, 95% CI: 3.922-5.488] which were independent predictors associated with knowledge of preconception care among healthcare providers. Conclusion. Healthcare providers’ knowledge of preconception care was low. Study participants working at hospitals, using smartphones, presence of preconception guidelines at health institutions, taking training on preconception education and counseling, taking training about human immune virus testing and management, and increasing public awareness of preconception care affect knowledge of health providers positively. The provision of updated training on preconception and linkage of internet service with health service should be enhanced among healthcare providers.

Knowledge and Attitude Towards Preconception Care and Associated Factors Among Health Care Providers in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2020

“…Health care providers who earn better monthly salary had good level of knowledge. Which is in line with a study conducted in Hawassa, (13) and Awi (20) in Ethiopia. Knowledge difference among higher and lesser salaries may not afford to have smart phones to access medical information and unable to pay for internet.…”

“…The nding of the study revealed that 49.1% (95% CI: 44.8-53.3%) of healthcare providers had good level of knowledge on preconception care which is consistent with the nding reported in Awi zone which showed 52% (20). However, higher than the study done in Hawassa City ( 31%) (13) and lower than in Addis Ababa (69.2%) (16) and South Africa (55%) (11).…”

Knowledge of Preconception Healthcare and Associated Factors: A Study among Mothers in Jinka Town, Southern Region, Ethiopia

“…For instance, a community-based study in Wolayita [ 27 ] and Gojjam [ 28 ], Ethiopia, showed that 53% and almost 28% of mothers knew preconception healthcare, respectively. Even though it is essential, preconception health is yet not integrated into the present healthcare system in Ethiopia [ 29 , 30 ]. Hence, preconception healthcare may be a missed opportunity that the maternal healthcare system of Ethiopia should account for [ 13 ].…”

Knowledge of preconception care and its association with family planning utilization among women in Ethiopia: meta-analysis

“…Likewise, the couple’s intention to seek out PCC is insufficient 23 . Different studies in Ethiopia showed the women’s knowledge of PCC as a basic issue for implementation of a maternal continuum of care 27 – 29 However, none of them are inconclusive in determining the knowledge level and its predictors.…”