Awareness of Preconception and Pregnancy Care among Bachelor Level Students of Dharan

Abstract

Abstract: Preconception and pregnancy care is important for better pregnancy outcome. Awareness of both male and female is necessary for reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing country like Nepal. The objective was to find out level of awareness on preconception and pregnancy care among bachelor level students of Dharan. Descriptive design was used for the study. Purposive sampling method was used to select 50 students from each college. Four colleges were selected through simple random sampling from 16 colleges and a total of 200 students who were studying bachelor final year were selected for study. Data were collected by self-administered Semi structured questionnaires. The result shows that 24.5% of total respondents heard about folic acid. Among them 7% were male respondents and 17.5% were female respondents. Majority (89%) of respondents accepts that male’s awareness is important for better pregnancy outcome. Female (mean awareness=55.2) were more aware than male (mean awareness=52.61) respondents on preconception and pregnancy care. Female were more aware on both preconception and pregnancy care. The source of information (media, newspaper) is associated with level of awareness. (p=0.010). Awareness level is related to employment status with higher proportion of employed individuals showing average awareness level (p=0.014). An equal to half (50.5%) of respondents have average awareness level on preconception and pregnancy care. The study concludes female (17.5%) have more good awareness level than male (7%) respondents.