Abstract:
Background: Preconception care is a set of interventions and programmes that aims to identify
and enable informed decision-making to modify biomedical, behavioral, and social risks through
counseling, prevention and management of risk factors before pregnancy. Millions of women in
the world do not have access to pre-pregnancy service with suitable quality. Therefore
addressing this important topic and coming up with necessary information will help to improve
maternal and child health in our country.
Objective: To assess preconception care knowledge and associated factors among reproductive
age group women in Ambo town, Ambo, Ethiopia, 2024 G.C
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design was employed from January 15 to
March 01, 2024 in Ambo town. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 480
reproductive age group women from three kebeles. Data were collected using mobile Kobo
Toolbox android application then cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive
analysis was used for summarizing continuous variables. Binary logistic regression analysis were
done and variables with a P- value < 0.25 in bivariate analysis were transferred to multivariate
analysis. In multivariate, a P- value ≤0.05 and OR with 95% CI considered for the presence of a
statistically significant association.
Result: A total of 480 reproductive age women were involved in this study, with a response rate
of 96.1%. Women’s Knowledge on preconception care was 15.6% (95% CI: 12, 19). College
diploma and above women AOR: 6.13 (95% CI: 1.81, 10.77), Women’s who have ever heard
about PCC AOR: 16.14 (95% CI: 6.53, 13.89), Women who have positive attitude towards
preconception care AOR: 2.77 (95% CI: 1.2, 6.37) were significantly associated with knowledge
of preconception care.
Conclusions and recommendation: The study showed overall prevalence of preconception
care knowledge among reproductive age women of ambo town was low. Having a better
educational level, ever hearing about preconception care and having good attitude towards to
preconception care has positive effect on knowledge of PCC. Therefore, programs need to
incorporate PCC as a routine part of primary health care when designing effective
implementation strategies for improving preconception care service.
