Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Improved uptake of preconception care has been associated with reduced rates of maternal mortality yet the awareness and uptake of preconception care services among pregnant women, and healthcare teams remain low. This study assessed the awareness of preconception care among pregnant mothers with hypertensive disorders, to examine the influence of male partners in seeking of preconception care and to determine the perceived effects of lack of pre-conception care among pregnant mothers with hypertensive disorders. This was a cross-sectional study in which a sample of 325 mothers seeking ante-natal care was selected from Mbagathi District Hospital, Pumwani Maternity Hospital and Langata Health Centre respectively. A majority of respondents n=232 indicated that preconception care consists of advice prior to conception, medical care during pregnancy and receiving ante-natal care. Health workers at 63% were the main source of information on pre-conception care. 72.5% of the respondents had discussed a joint pre-conception care with their male partner. About 27.5% of the respondents had not discussed a pre-conception care plan with their male partners with the leading reason being that partners did not see the reason to accompany their wives for pre-conception care. Marital status at p=0.000 (χ2 = 25.365, df=4), education at p=0.048(χ2 = 18.465, df=10), discussing and making joint plans with partner on pre-conception care at p=0.008 (χ2 = 9.782, df=2) significantly influenced decision to attend pre-conception care. 44.67 % (n=130) of respondents indicated that lack of pre-conception care increases the risk of hypertension disorder causing miscarriage. About 20% of the respondents indicated that lack of pre-conception care exposes a mother to birth complications that develop due pre-eclampsia. This study highlights the need for health promotion activities to encourage the need of preparing for pregnancy in the general population.