Abstract
The objective of this study is to assess preconception health behaviors among Brazilian women, and analyze the effect of pregnancy planning status in carrying out preconception measures. This is a cross-sectional quantitative study conducted with 807 women, of whom 649 had a planned or ambivalent pregnancy. Preconception health behaviors were assessed by the Brazilian version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy. Preconception health behaviors were performed by only 15.9% of women. Among those who planned their pregnancy, less than half completed a health measure (47.0%); the most common was seeking medical assistance and improving the diet. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a strong association between the preconception health behaviors and a planned pregnancy (adjusted OR = 16.77; 95% CI: 9.47-29.81). Age over 30 years, paid work, and the time interval between menarche and first sexual intercourse were also associated with completing preconception measures. The low frequency of preconception health measures, even among women who planned their pregnancy, indicates the urgency of including preconception care on the agenda of public health policies in Brazil. Mensurar a realização do preparo pré-concepcional, descrever as medidas adotadas como preparo pré-concepcional e analisar o efeito do planejamento da gravidez na realização do preparo pré-concepcional. Estudo quantitativo, do tipo transversal, conduzido com 807 mulheres, das quais 649 tinham gravidez planejada ou ambivalente. O preparo pré-concepcional foi mensurado a partir do London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy , versão Brasil. O preparo pré-concepcional foi realizado por apenas 15,9% das mulheres. Dentre as que planejaram a gravidez, menos da metade realizou algum preparo (47,0%), sendo os mais frequentes ter procurado assistência médica e mudanças na alimentação. Análise de regressão logística múltipla mostrou forte associação entre a realização do preparo pré-concepcional e o planejamento da gravidez (ORajustado=16,77; IC95% 9,47-29,81). A idade acima de 30 anos, o trabalho remunerado e o intervalo de tempo entre a menarca e a primeira relação sexual também estiveram associados à realização do preparo pré-concepcional. A baixa frequência de realização de preparo pré-concepcional, mesmo entre mulheres com gravidez planejada, indica a urgência de se incluir o cuidado pré-concepcional na agenda de políticas públicas de saúde.
Highlights
The preconception period is crucial to the development of a healthy pregnancy, and health promotion and disease prevention actions should be fully implemented before conception occurs
To describe the preconception health behaviors adopted by women, and to analyze the effect of pregnancy planning status in adopting preconception health behaviors, all women with unplanned pregnancies were excluded (n = 158), because no preconception measure is expected among women who do not plan their pregnancies, which, was verified
Preconception health behavior is essential for the development of a healthy pregnancy
Summary
The preconception period is crucial to the development of a healthy pregnancy, and health promotion and disease prevention actions should be fully implemented before conception occurs. Despite the importance of completing preconception health behaviors for the promotion of maternal and child health[1], studies show that it is still not frequent[2,3,4,5], mainly because of its close relationship to pregnancy planning. Women who plan their pregnancies are more likely to have preconception health behaviors[6,7,8], not all of them take any action whatsoever to prepare for pregnancy[2,3,4,9]. From an individual point of view, schooling, marital status, and reproductive experience are key factors on the uptake of preconception care[9]
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.
