KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE TOWARDS UTILISATION OF PRECONCEPTION CARE AT KAWOLO HOSPITAL, BUIKWE DISTRICT; A CROSS SECIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background:

Preconception care has the potential to positively impact 208 million pregnancies worldwide each year, unfortunately, many adolescent girls and women in LMIC which have the highest burden of maternal and childhood mortality have poorly utilized PC.

The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of women of reproductive age towards utilization of PCC at Kawolo Hospital, Buikwe district.

Methodology:

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study design employing the quantitative method of data collection. The study design was selected because it helped the study to collect data in a short period and the respondents were not followed up later, the findings were analyzed manually and statistically presented using graphs and tables.

Results:

The respondents' knowledge in this study was fair as all (100%) had heard about PCC, however, (53%) were not able to define preconception care, (50%) stated counseling as a component of PCC, (48%) mentioned alcohol consumption as the mostc01mnon behavioral issues that affect before conception.

On the attitude, (67%) of the respondents disagreed with the importance of supplements in PCC, (63%) strongly agreed that only women of reproductive age should benefit from PPC, (70%) agreed with the statement that PCC can help control medical conditions before conception.

Regarding practice, (73%) of respondents had never used PCC, (50%) had ever been counseled, and (50%) had utilized pre-conception care only once. In comparison (100%) opined that they had ever used folic acid before conception.

Conclusion:

The practice was low despite the fair knowledge and attitude.

Recommendations: 

Awareness creation on the benefits of PCC, educating village health teams on PCC, and dissemination of PCC services to the lower health facilities should be implemented