Online Program

327985
Increasing women's preconception healthcare knowledge and self-efficacy: A quasi-experimental community-based study in an Upper Great Plains state


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Cristina R. Lammers, MD, MPH, College of Nursing and Health Science Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Mary Jenson, PhD, Psychology Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Suzanne Stluka, MS, RDN, LN, SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Kimberly Wilson-Sweebe, MS, Extension, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Objective: Evaluate the efficacy of a woman’s centered educational program using the Health Belief Model (HBM) on preconception healthcare (PCHC) knowledge and self-efficacy among reproductive-aged women.

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 programs
Planning 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

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

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.