Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024 Aug 23;24(1):551. doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06737-z.
Preconception care is a highly effective, evidence-based intervention aimed at promoting the health of reproductive-age women and reducing adverse pregnancy-related outcomes. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health plans to integrate preconception care services into the country's existing healthcare system. However, women's preferences may be influenced by their values and customs. Therefore, this study used the theory of planned behavior to assess women's intention toward preconception care use and its predictors among reproductive-age women in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia.
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Arba Minch town from May 1 to 30, 2022. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select 415 study participants for data collection. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview using a pretested, structured questionnaire. Epi Data version 4.6 and SPSS version 26 were used for the entry and analysis of data, respectively. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify independent predictors of intention to use preconception care. The standardized β-coefficient was used as a measure of association. A P value of less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.
This study had 415 participants, giving a response rate of 98.3%. The mean age of the participants was 28.4 (SD 5.18). The mean intention to use preconception care was 21.43 (SD 2.47). Direct perceived behavioral control (β = 0.263, p < 0.001), direct attitude (β = 0.201, p = 0.001), direct subjective norm (β = 0.158, p = 0.006), and age (β=-0.115, p = 0.023) were significant predictors of women's behavioral intention to use preconception care.
The study identified perceived behavioral control as the strongest predictor, followed by attitude and subjective norms, influencing the intention to use preconception care. These findings underscore the importance of integrating these predictors into health intervention programs aimed at promoting the implementation of preconception care services.
孕前保健是一种高效、基于证据的干预措施，旨在促进育龄妇女的健康，减少不良妊娠相关结局。埃塞俄比亚卫生部计划将孕前保健服务纳入该国现有的医疗保健系统。然而，妇女的偏好可能受到其价值观和习俗的影响。因此，本研究采用计划行为理论评估了埃塞俄比亚南部阿尔巴明奇镇育龄妇女对孕前保健使用的意向及其预测因素。
本研究于 2022 年 5 月 1 日至 30 日在阿尔巴明奇镇进行了一项基于社区的横断面研究。采用简单随机抽样技术，从研究对象中抽取 415 名进行数据收集。采用经过预测试的结构化问卷，通过面对面访谈收集数据。使用 EpiData 版本 4.6 和 SPSS 版本 26 分别录入和分析数据。采用多元线性回归分析确定使用孕前保健意向的独立预测因素。使用标准化β系数作为关联的度量。P 值小于 0.05 被认为具有统计学意义。
本研究共纳入 415 名参与者，应答率为 98.3%。参与者的平均年龄为 28.4 岁（SD 5.18）。平均使用孕前保健意向为 21.43（SD 2.47）。直接感知行为控制（β=0.263，p<0.001）、直接态度（β=0.201，p=0.001）、直接主观规范（β=0.158，p=0.006）和年龄（β=-0.115，p=0.023）是影响妇女使用孕前保健意向的显著预测因素。
本研究发现感知行为控制是最强的预测因素，其次是态度和主观规范，影响使用孕前保健的意向。这些发现强调了将这些预测因素纳入旨在促进实施孕前保健服务的健康干预计划的重要性。
