Perception and Uptake of Preconception Care among Women at Reproductive Health Clinic: Case of Kenyatta National Hospital Nairobi City County, Kenya
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Date
2022
Authors
Edalia, Madina Guye
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Numerous researchers and policy makers have highlighted the significance of women’s preconception health care among high-risk populations. Provision of care to adolescent girls and women before and between pregnancies improves their overall health and health outcomes of the newborn. There is paucity of information regarding the uptake of pre-conception care and the effects thereof in regard to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The study’s main objective was to assess the Perception and Level of Knowledge on Preconception Care Uptake among the Women of Child Bearing Age attending Reproductive Health Clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital. The specific objective is to determine the level of knowledge on preconception care among the women, assess the attitude of women towards PCC, determine the uptake of preconception care &assess the association between socio-cultural characteristics of women and the uptake of the preconception care. This was a descriptive cross sectional study where quantitative data were collected. The targeted population included the antenatal and postnatal women being attended to at this clinic. A structured questionnaire was subjectively administered to 224 women of reproductive age, whose characteristics met the research's inclusion criteria between December 2018 and March 2019. Content validity was ascertained by use of the test re-test method to ascertain reliability comparing with a Cronbach Alpha Reliability coefficient value. For analysis, SPSS version 22 was used, and Chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between response and predictor variables. There were 216 complete questionnaires analyzed, translating to 96.4% response rate. Only 19% (n = 40) were aware about preconception care. There was positive attitude with 75.5% of the respondents’ stating that preconception care would improve the chances of having a healthy baby. Uptake was poor with only 23.1% had uptake of preconception care services despite the fact that 49.1% had received information on PCC. The majority of socio-cultural characteristics had no statistically significant relationship with PCC uptake. Some of the variables were statistically significant. There was a statistically significant relationship between: understanding PCC (χ2 = 7.837, df = 2 and p ( 0.011); importance of preconception (χ2= 24.629 df = 2 and p ( 0.000); Involvement of a husband in PCC& uptake of PCC (χ2= 25.831, df = 1, p( 0.246); PCC improving chances of having a healthy baby (χ2= 12.498, df = 1, p (0.000) and knowing all things a lady should do when pregnant to ensure the baby is fine & uptake of PCC (χ2= 43.145, df = & p ( 0.000). The relationship between knowledge level and uptake of PCC is highly significant with χ2=18.562, df = 1 and p (0.000).In conclusion women attending KNH reproductive clinic have limited knowledge about PCC. There was positive attitude towards PCC among women but poor preconception care practices. The findings of this study might contribute to preconception care implementation strategies and helps in policy development. This would engage women to develop proactive behavior seeking care with the potential to improve pregnancy and neonatal outcome.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirement of the Award of the Degree of Masters of Public Health in Reproductive Health in the School of Public Health of Kenyatta University
Keywords
Perception, Preconception Care, Reproductive Health, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi City County,, Kenya