Association Between Preconception Care and Birth Outcomes

Jourabchi Z 1 , Sharif S 2 , Lye MS 3 , Saeed A 4 , Khor GL 5 , Tajuddin SHS 6

Affiliations 

  • 1 1 Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical and Health Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
  • 2 2 Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia
  • 3 3 Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia
  • 4 4 Department of Health Administration, Qazvin University of Medical and Health Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
  • 5 5 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia
  • 6 6 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia
Am J Health Promot, 2019 03;33(3):363-371.
PMID: 30011998 DOI: 10.1177/0890117118779808

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.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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