Women's knowledge of preconception care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

preconception care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Preconception health care is improving maternal and unborn child outcomes by recognizing and identifying risky behaviors before pregnancy and lessening unintended pregnancies. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of women's knowledge across the world.

Method: Published and unpublished research reports women’s knowledge of preconception care were used. The databases used are PubMed, Medline, google scholar, google, and    Cochrane Library. Unpublished articles searched from different repository electronic libraries and through google. Two independent authors (ZY and NH) searched articles by using the following key terms, “knowledge” OR “awareness”, “woman/women*” AND “preconception care”, “preconception care” OR “preconception health care”, “preconception care” AND “worldwide”. The critical appraisal was done using the Joana Brigg’s Institute (JBI) checklist for prevalence study, which has nine scores.

Results: Four hundred twenty-eight published and unpublished articles retrieved from different databases: PubMed, Medline, google scholar, google, and   Cochrane Library. Unpublished articles searched from different repository electronic library and google. The pooled prevalence of women's knowledge of preconception care was 35.3% (95% CI: 24.5-47.8%).

Conclusion: This study showed that women's knowledge of preconception care is low. This finding suggests that governmental and non-governmental organizations shall give attention to the creation of awareness and implementation to enhance on preconception care.