Knowledge and attitudes regarding preconception care in a predominantly low-income Mexican American population

Dean V. Coonrod, Natalie C. Bruce, Theresa D. Malcolm, David Drachman, Keith A. Frey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine knowledge and attitudes regarding preconception care in a low-income Mexican American population. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional survey of 305 reproductive-age women at an urban public hospital. Results: The sample was mostly Hispanic (88%) and pregnant (68%); 35% had not completed high school. Eighty-nine percent agreed that improving preconception health benefits pregnancy. Seventy-seven percent expressed some interest in preconception health care with the obstetrics gynecology office at the preferred location. The average knowledge of preconception care score was 76% (higher score more favorable). Areas of higher knowledge included the effects on pregnancy of folic acid; alcohol use; substance use; and verbal, physical, and sexual abuse; lower knowledge was found for the effects of cat litter and fish products. Conclusion: There was interest in preconception education and agreement that preconception health has a positive effect on pregnancy. Fewer respondents agreed that it had a good effect than a suburban sample in the same region (89% vs 98%).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)686.e1-686.e7
JournalAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology
Volume200
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009

Keywords

  • Mexican American
  • health knowledge
  • low-income
  • preconception care
  • prenatal care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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