327985
Increasing women's preconception healthcare knowledge and self-efficacy: A quasi-experimental community-based study in an Upper Great Plains state
Methods: A quasi-experimental, two-group, pre-posttest design was used to evaluate a community-based intervention. A total of 85 women (18 to 45 years) participated in the study; 44 women in the comparison group and 41 in the study group completed a pre and posttest validated questionnaire that measured PCHC knowledge and HBM constructs. The study group received two interactive educational sessions. A 2(group) X 2(pre/post) mixed-model ANOVA was used to assess the effect of the intervention on PCHC knowledge and HBM scores. A dependent t-test compared HBM subscales scores (alpha=.05).
Results: The interaction between the groups and time of measurement was significant for both outcomes variables. Post-intervention PCHC knowledge (p=0.021), and HBM summary score (p=.009) increased in the study group. On follow-up tests only the study group demonstrated a significant increase in PCHC knowledge (p<.001) and in the HBM summary scores (p=.015). HBM subscale analysis showed greater risk perception (p=0.010), severity (p=0.041), self-efficacy (p=.015), and cues for action (p=.007) in the study group.
Conclusions: Preconception healthcare is underutilized in the United States. Mass media campaigns increase awareness; however interpersonal communication and education are more effective to change behaviors. This study supports that providing preconception healthcare education to reproductive-aged women may empower women to access PCHC services. Further research should identify strategies to make women PCHC education available, and increase PCHC awareness among health care providers.
Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programsPlanning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify the six constructs of the Health Belief Model.
Recognize the Health Belief Model as a valuable framework to provide preconception health education and empower women to take action to improve their health.
Appraise the benefits of increasing reproductive-aged women preconception healthcare knowledge and self-efficacy.
Keyword(s): Community-Based Research (CBPR), Maternal and Child Health
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have provided health services to women before and during pregnancy and as an MCH professional, I have been doing collaborative research to improve birth outcomes and reduce infant mortality with colleagues at the Pan American Health Organization in several Latin American Countries. I have been the PI in a first seed grant focusing on assessing women knowledge of preconception healthcare, and which services they received.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.