Association Between Preconception Care and Birth Outcomes. Issue 3 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jourabchi, Zinat; Sharif, Sazlina; Lye, Munn Sann; Saeed, Asefzadeh; Khor, Geok Lin; Tajuddin, Syed Hassan Syed
• Is Part Of: American journal of health promotion. Volume 33:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 371
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: preconception care -- prenatal care -- maternal health -- maternal care patterns -- maternal health services -- maternal child health centers; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health Promotion; Health promotion; Periodicals; Periodicals; 613.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0890117118779808
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0890-1171

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the association between preconception care and the risk of adverse birth outcomes. Design: A quasi-experimental study comparing 2 groups: (1) integrated maternal health care (MHC) program (with preconception care) and (2) standard MHC program (without preconception care). Setting: Maternal health-care clinics in Alvand and Qazvin cities in Qazvin Province, Iran. Participants: A total of 152 and 247 Iranian women aged 16 to 35 years were enrolled in the integrated MHC and standard MHC program, respectively. Measures: The birth outcomes measured included low birth weight, preterm birth, maternal and neonatal complications, and mode of delivery (normal vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery). Analysis: Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the impact of preconception care and risk of adverse birth outcomes with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) as effect sizes. Results: One hundred forty-seven women in integrated MHC and 218 women in standard MHC completed this study. Preconception care was associated with reduced risk of preterm birth (OR = 0.298; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.120-0.743; P = .009), low birth weight (OR = 0.406; 95% CI = 0.169-0.971; P = .043), maternal complication (OR = 0.399; 95% CI = 0.241-0.663; P < .001), and neonatal complications (OR = 0.460; 95% CI = 0.275-0.771; P = .003). Conclusion: The findings of the present study revealed advantages of preconception care with reduced adverse birth outcomes.