Abstract
BackgroundIdentifying and understanding the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) level of women at the periconceptional period has implications for formulating and measuring the adverse pregnancy outcomes for primary prevention.MethodsA cross-sectional study among pregestational and pregnant women was conducted in Shaanxi during 2016–2017.ResultsAmong 791 participants, the average score of periconceptional healthcare knowledge awareness was 6.32 ± 1.78, whereas 28.8% of women have failed. Women who planned to or had undergone premarital and pre-pregnancy examinations accounted for 50.2, and 62.5%, respectively. Less than half (42.0%) of the women started taking folic acid (FA) before pregnancy, and only 37.9% of them took FA regularly at the right time. Multivariate analysis showed that age was the main factor influencing the Attitude and Practice level of women at the periconceptional period, and demonstrated a positive effect on the awareness of right timing of folic acid supplementation, and high rates of premarital and pre-pregnancy examinations. Also, the knowledge pass rate was increased with education level. Fewer women who have birth experience were willing to take FA consistently at the right time compared to those women without birth.ConclusionsThe women at the periconceptional period in Shaanxi lacked the total KAP level of periconceptional healthcare, especially those who live in rural areas and have less education. Government agencies should reinforce more effective primary preventive measures and policies for the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Highlights
Identifying and understanding the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) level of women at the periconceptional period has implications for formulating and measuring the adverse pregnancy outcomes for primary prevention
The neural tube defects (NTDs) are considered as the main reason for birth defects in developed countries [6]
The proportion of women living in city and suburb/rural areas was 72.0 and 28.0%, respectively
Summary
Identifying and understanding the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) level of women at the periconceptional period has implications for formulating and measuring the adverse pregnancy outcomes for primary prevention. Adverse pregnancy outcomes are significant health challenges for women in the periconceptional period as well as infants. These include pregnancy bleeding, hypertensive disorders and sepsis, which lead to more than half of the maternal deaths [1]. It is confirmed that KAP interacted with each other This survey was conducted based on the principle that increasing knowledge results in changing attitudes and practices to minimise disease burden [8]. Understanding the KAP level remains helpful to identify the knowledge gap and determine behaviours of the public to further plan and implement for the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
