Preconception care practices in Nigeria: a descriptive qualitative study
Abstract Background Preconception care is a specialized care targeted at women of reproductive age before pregnancy to detect, treat or counsel them about pre-existing medical and social conditions that may militate against safe motherhood and positive pregnancy outcome. In spite of the known need f...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2020-11-01
|
| Series: | Reproductive Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-020-01030-6 |
| _version_ | 1828960938504486912 |
|---|---|
| author | Oludoyinmola O. Ojifinni Latifat Ibisomi |
| author_facet | Oludoyinmola O. Ojifinni Latifat Ibisomi |
| author_sort | Oludoyinmola O. Ojifinni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Preconception care is a specialized care targeted at women of reproductive age before pregnancy to detect, treat or counsel them about pre-existing medical and social conditions that may militate against safe motherhood and positive pregnancy outcome. In spite of the known need for preconception care in Nigeria, routine preconception care services are not available in the country. This study explores existing preconception care practices in the country in order to encourage building on it and formalising it for inclusion in routine maternal and child health services in the country. Methods Forty-one in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions were conducted in this descriptive qualitative study to explore the existing preconception care services from the perspectives of community members (women and men in the reproductive age group), community and religious leaders, health care professionals as well as policy makers. Thematic analysis was carried out using MAXQDA 2018. Results Participants stated that there are no defined preconception care services in the health care system nor are there any structures or guidelines for preconception care in the country. Preconception care services are however provided when health workers perceive a need or when clients demand for it. The services provided include health information, education and counselling, treatment modification, medical check-up and screening. Outside of the health system, there are some traditional, religious and other practices with similar bearing to preconception care which the participants believed could be included as preconception care services. These include premarital counselling services by religious bodies, family life and HIV education within the secondary school system and some screening and outreach services provided by non-governmental and some governmental agencies. Conclusion There is a need to provide structure and guidelines for preconception care services in the country so that the services can be properly streamlined. This structure can also involve practices that are currently not within the health system. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T09:36:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-264579bf14a04ac7a168f70b24091a77 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1742-4755 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T09:36:28Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Reproductive Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-264579bf14a04ac7a168f70b24091a772022-12-21T23:07:54ZengBMCReproductive Health1742-47552020-11-0117111310.1186/s12978-020-01030-6Preconception care practices in Nigeria: a descriptive qualitative studyOludoyinmola O. Ojifinni0Latifat Ibisomi1School of Public Health, University of the WitwatersrandDivision of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Wits School of Public Health, University of the WitwatersrandAbstract Background Preconception care is a specialized care targeted at women of reproductive age before pregnancy to detect, treat or counsel them about pre-existing medical and social conditions that may militate against safe motherhood and positive pregnancy outcome. In spite of the known need for preconception care in Nigeria, routine preconception care services are not available in the country. This study explores existing preconception care practices in the country in order to encourage building on it and formalising it for inclusion in routine maternal and child health services in the country. Methods Forty-one in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions were conducted in this descriptive qualitative study to explore the existing preconception care services from the perspectives of community members (women and men in the reproductive age group), community and religious leaders, health care professionals as well as policy makers. Thematic analysis was carried out using MAXQDA 2018. Results Participants stated that there are no defined preconception care services in the health care system nor are there any structures or guidelines for preconception care in the country. Preconception care services are however provided when health workers perceive a need or when clients demand for it. The services provided include health information, education and counselling, treatment modification, medical check-up and screening. Outside of the health system, there are some traditional, religious and other practices with similar bearing to preconception care which the participants believed could be included as preconception care services. These include premarital counselling services by religious bodies, family life and HIV education within the secondary school system and some screening and outreach services provided by non-governmental and some governmental agencies. Conclusion There is a need to provide structure and guidelines for preconception care services in the country so that the services can be properly streamlined. This structure can also involve practices that are currently not within the health system.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-020-01030-6Preconception practicesPreconception guidelinesPremarital counsellingPreconception care on demandMedical check-up |
| spellingShingle | Oludoyinmola O. Ojifinni Latifat Ibisomi Preconception care practices in Nigeria: a descriptive qualitative study Reproductive Health Preconception practices Preconception guidelines Premarital counselling Preconception care on demand Medical check-up |
| title | Preconception care practices in Nigeria: a descriptive qualitative study |
| title_full | Preconception care practices in Nigeria: a descriptive qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Preconception care practices in Nigeria: a descriptive qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Preconception care practices in Nigeria: a descriptive qualitative study |
| title_short | Preconception care practices in Nigeria: a descriptive qualitative study |
| title_sort | preconception care practices in nigeria a descriptive qualitative study |
| topic | Preconception practices Preconception guidelines Premarital counselling Preconception care on demand Medical check-up |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-020-01030-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT oludoyinmolaoojifinni preconceptioncarepracticesinnigeriaadescriptivequalitativestudy AT latifatibisomi preconceptioncarepracticesinnigeriaadescriptivequalitativestudy |