Assessment of Awareness and Prior Utilization of Preconception Care and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in Southwest Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Preconception care (PCC) is a set of biomedical, behavioural, and social interventions provided before pregnancy to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Despite its proven benefits, PCC uptake remains low in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries, largely due to limited awareness, poor health system integration, and socio-cultural barriers. This study assessed awareness and prior utilization of PCC among pregnant women attending primary health centres (PHCs) in Ogbomoso, Southwest Nigeria, and examined factors associated with its uptake.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in three randomly selected PHCs in Ogbomoso North LGA. A multistage sampling technique was used. Data were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized variables, while Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with PCC uptake. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The majority of respondents were aged 21-30 years (60.5%), married (65.8%), and had a tertiary education (46.7%). Overall, 63.2% demonstrated above-average knowledge of PCC. Awareness was high for folic acid use (68.4%) and avoidance of harmful substances (94.7%), but low for chronic disease screening (36.2%) and genetic screening (35.5%). Uptake of PCC was generally low and not significantly associated with knowledge at the bivariate level (p = 0.432). However, logistic regression showed that women with above-average knowledge were significantly more likely to utilize PCC (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.20- 4.50, p = 0.02). Age, marital status, ethnicity, and education were significantly associated with uptake, while income, religion, and residence were not.

Conclusion: Although awareness of PCC was relatively high, utilization remained low. Knowledge was the strongest independent predictor of uptake. Strengthening health education, integrating PCC into PHC services, and addressing socio-demographic disparities are essential to improve utilization.