Preconception Care Services Research Articles

Social Marketing: Planning Before Conceiving Preconception Care

Social marketing approaches can help to shape the formation of and to create demand for preconception care services. This article describes four components of social marketing, often referred to as the 4 P’s, that should be carefully researched and set in place before a national effort to launch and sustain preconception care services is pursued. First, the product or package of services must be defined and adapted using the latest in scientific and health care standards and must be based on consumer needs and desires. Second, the pricing of the services in financial or opportunity costs must be acceptable to the consumer, insurers, and health care service providers. Third, the promotion of benefits must be carefully crafted to reach and appeal to both consumers and providers. Fourth, the placement and availability of services in the marketplace must be researched and planned. With the application of market research practices that incorporate health behavior theories in their exploration of each component, consumer demand for preconception care can be generated, and providers can take preconception care to the market with confidence.

Preconception care in international settings.

Objectives: This literature review briefly describes international programs, policies, and activities related to preconception care and resulting pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Electronic databases were searched and findings supplemented with secondary references cited in the original articles as well as textbook chapters, declarations, reports, and recommendations. Results: Forty-two articles, book chapters, declarations, and other published materials were reviewed. Policies, programs, and recommendations related to preconceptional health promotion exist worldwide and comprise a readily identifiable component of historic and modern initiatives pertaining to women's health, reproductive freedom, and child survival. Conclusions: The integration of preconception care services within a larger maternal and child health continuum of care is well aligned with a prevention-based approach to enhancing global health.

Preconception care: a systematic review.

To perform a systematic review of published research trials of preconception care services to determine what evidence for effectiveness of care at improving the course of pregnancy or its outcomes has accumulated since the last major review in 1990. The review was conducted adapting the systematic methods developed by the Cochrane Collaboration to collect evidence from published clinical research literature with as little bias as possible. The review included literature published after January 1990, and posted on MEDLINE by July 1999. Although more than 40 preconception risk conditions were searched and 470 articles were abstracted, only four problem areas and 19 research trials met the review criteria. New evidence of effectiveness was found for screening women who are seeking family planning for risk conditions; having sexually active women of reproductive age take dietary folate supplements; and providing women affected by certain metabolic conditions (diabetes and hyperphenylalanemia) with nutrition services. To help improve pregnancy outcomes MCH professionals need to promote the concept of readiness for pregnancy and help see that women are as healthy and appropriately nourished as possible before they become pregnant.