Primary Health Care: Open Access 2021, Vol.11, Issue 1, 361. Research Article What Women Do Before Pregnancy? A Preconception Care of Women in Mizan- Aman town Southwest, Ethiopia, A Mixed Study Melsew Setegn Department of Reproductive Health and Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Teferi, Ethiopia Corresponding Author* its implementation and usage is low but adverse pregnancy outcome is alarmingly increasing [2,3,5]. In some low and middle income countries, such Melsew Setegn as Bangladesh, Philippines, and Sri Lanka were implementing the guideline for Department of Reproductive Health and Nutrition, School of Public preconception care [2]. Early start of preconception care particularly for girls Health, College of Health Science, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Teferi, living in low and middle income countries is very crucial [6]. Many adolescent P.O. Box 260, Ethiopia. girls and young women will be thrust into motherhood without the knowledge, E-mail: [email protected] skills or support they need while preconception care had solution to such problem [1]. Copyright: 2020 Melsew Setegn. This is an open-access article distributed Low or never use of preconception care has several consequences including under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, still birth, low birth weight unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the infant, premature delivery, unplanned pregnancy (rapid successive pregnancy) original author and source are credited. and increase the health care cost. A study conducted in Ethiopia showed that neural tube defect (27.5%) and hydrocephalus (35.5%) were the major leading cause of admission to the hospital for surgical procedure among children [1,7- Received 01 January, 2021; Accepted 15 January, 2021; Published 22 January, 9]. 2021 Globally less than 1/3rd of the women of childbearing age visiting the health institution and speak with the health care provider prior to the pregnancy Abstract about the health status and its potential impact on pregnancy outcome [2]. In Ethiopia a number of problems are occurring during pregnancy. Majority of these problems are prevented if preconception care is properly implemented Background: Preconception care is highly important in reducing a number with the other continuum of care. For instance anemia during prenatal(31.8%), of adverse pregnancy outcomes and helps to improve maternal health but a hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women (4.7%), poor dietary little is known in Ethiopia and its utilization status is not well studied. There practices (60.7%), alcohol consumption during pregnancy at least once per is limited study on pre-pregnancy care in Ethiopia in general and in study area weeks(34%), malnutrition among pregnant women (31.8%), mother-to-child in particular. So, this study aimed to determine preconception care utilization transmission of HIV infection(9.93%) [10-12]. and associated factors among women in Mizan-Aman town, Southwest Ethiopia. In an era of sustainable development goals (SDG), maternal, newborn and child health still require improvement. To achieve SDG 3 in 2030 care of mothers Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design was employed and newborn is necessary important [11]. Even though preconception care from April 16 to May 26, 2020 in Mizan-Aman town. Data were collected by is highly important in reducing a number of adverse pregnancy outcomes using pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaires and entered into and helps to increase other services such as antenatal care and skilled Epi-data version 3.1 then exported to and analyzed by using SPSS version delivery little is known in Ethiopia. Only few studies were done concerning to 24. Statistical significance was assessed by using multivariable logistic regression analysis by determining odds ratios and 95% confidence interval. preconception care in Ethiopia and the existing literature showed that women utilization of preconception care were very low [11-15]. Results: The level of preconception care utilization was 16.2%. Being attended tertiary education, planning to pregnancy, good knowledge toward Even though the concept of preconception care has been explored in maternal preconception care and previous experience of adverse pregnancy outcome and neonatal health as an adjunct to reduce maternal and newborn death in were predictors of preconception care use. Qualitative finding also explored the last 2-3 decades in WHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that maternal, health facility and community factors that hinder preconception (CDC) [2,3,16] few studies have been examining preconception care utilization care utilization. in Ethiopia. Investigating the prevalence of preconception care utilization would aid in taking measures for further amendment of service delivery Conclusion: Low preconception care utilization sought the unfamiliarity and programs. This in turn allows ministry of health, health sectors and of the women or the couples with the availability and potential benefits of other administrator to design appropriate preconception care policy and preconception care. Planning to pregnancy, previous adverse pregnancy implementation strategies. outcome, maternal educational status and good knowledge towards preconception care were identified as factors for preconception care Methods utilization. Improving women’s knowledge on preconception care, improve the women planning pregnancy status and creating intervention that addresses Study design, period and area adverse pregnancy outcome are recommended. A community based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Mizan- Keywords: Preconception care, Mizan-Aman town, Ethiopia Aman Town, Bench-Sheko Zone, Southwest Ethiopia from April 16 to May 26, 2020. The town is located 561 km northeast of Addis Ababa. The town is divided into 5 kebeles that has a total area of 142.71 km with an average Introduction elevation of 2840m above sea level. According to the information obtained Preconception care is the provision of preventive, promotive or curative health, from the district health office in 2018/19, a total estimated population of and social interventions before the occurrence of conception. It is given to 69,453 of which, 32,273 are females. Out of all females, 24,679 were women improve the health outcome for the women, newborns, and children. Maternal of reproductive age (15-49 years). There are one teaching hospital, one and child health (MCH) outcomes are the emphasis area in preconception care health center and five health posts, one university and one college under the [1,2]. Preconception care involves on the biomedical, behavioral, and social government. Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital is the only teaching health interventions to women and couples before conception occurs and hospital in the Bench-Sheko zone that gives charge free service for maternal aims to magnify their health status [2,3]. and neonatal care. Study participants To prevent and reverse the adverse maternal and infant health outcome preconception health care promotion has high value and widely acceptable All reproductive age women who lived in Mizan-Aman town were the source [4]. Know days, all healthcare providers should begin to provide preconception and study population. All reproductive age group women who had a history care to every woman every time [1,2]. While in most developing country of pregnancy and lived in Mizan-Aman town for 6 months and above were the implementation of preconception care is rare and knowledge about included under the study and a total of 12 in-depth interviews were selected. 1 Primary Health Care: Open Access 2021, Vol.11, Issue 1, 361. Setegn M. Sampling technique and procedure variance inflation factor were 1.158. Statistical significance between dependent and independent variables were assessed by odds ratios and 95% The sample size was determined by using single population proportion confidence intervals. formula with the assumption of 95% confidence level, 4% margin of error and the proportion of preconception care was taken from previous study Data quality control conducted in West Shoa 38.2% [15]. The questionnaire was first prepared in English and then translated to Amharic and re-translated back to English by other person to ensure its consistency and accuracy. Pre-test was carried out in Wacha Maji town on 5% of the sample Where; n=sample size size which was 31 reproductive age women for one day. After conducting pre- Zα/2=95% confidence interval (1.96) test some correction of tool was done. Internal consistency reliability analysis was carried out and Cronbach’s alpha showed the questionnaire reached acceptable P=38.2% taken from the previous study [15] reliability, α = 0.796. Training was given for one day for both data collectors and d=4% margin of error supervisors. The supervisors supervise the performance of the data collectors on daily basis. The collected data were checked for completeness, consistency and Based on the above assumption clarity by principal investigator and trained supervisors. Operation definition Considering a 10% non-response rate, so the sample size calculated from Preconception care: The provision of preventive, promotive or curative single population proportion was 624. health and social interventions before conception occurs. Interventions of preconception care (PCC) could be