A survey of preconception care among young female graduates in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

Background: Young female graduates are mostly young women with pregnancy intentions. Utilization of preconception care (PC) by women will reduce maternal mortality which is very high in Nigeria. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge, perception and practice of PC among female graduates. The study was carried out in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Methods: The study was cross-sectional in design and carried out in the National Youth Service Corps Secretariat, Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA), Agodi Area, Ibadan, Oyo State. A total sampling of 426 females was done. A structured questionnaire adapted from 3 previously validated instruments was used. Results: Their mean age was 24.4± 2.6 years. Majority, 344(80.8%) were single and 295 (69.2%) were University graduates. Majority, 354 (83.1%) had never been pregnant. Mean knowledge score was 12.0 ± 4.5 out of 25. Only 41.4% had good knowledge. Mean perception score was 62.2 ± 7.6 out of 77 and 426 (100%) had positive perception. Mean practice score was 2.9 ± 3.8out of 14. Only 21.2% of those intending to be pregnant had good practice of PC. A higher proportion of respondents aged 25-30 years (47.8%) had good knowledge of PC. Older age, 25-30years, was a predictor of good knowledge of PC (OR: 1.5, 95% CI:1.04-2.27). A higher proportion of respondents who had good knowledge of PC had good practice. This was statistically significant. Knowledge of PC was a predictor of good practice (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.10 – 3.06). Conclusion: Knowledge and practice of PC among young female graduates is poor. Health education intervention on all aspects of PC is needed among these young women. Keywords: Preconception care, female graduates, youth corps members AbstraitContexte: Les jeunes femmes diplomees sont pour la plupart des jeunes dames ayant des intentions de grossesse. L’utilisation des soins pre-conceptionnels (SP) par les femmes reduira la mortalite maternelle qui est tres elevee au Nigeria. Le but de l’etude etait d’evaluer les connaissances, la perception et la pratique de SP parmi les femmes diplomees. L’etude a ete realisee a Ibadan, dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria. Methodes: L’etude etait transversale dans sa conception et realisee au Secretariat du Corps de la Jeunesse pour le Service National, Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA), Agodi Area, Ibadan, Oyo State. Un echantillonnage total de 426 femmes a ete effectue. Un questionnaire structure adapte de 3 instruments prealablement valides a ete utilise. Resultats: Leur âge moyen etait de 24,4 ± 2,6 ans. La majorite, 344 (80,8%) etaient celibataires et 295 (69,2%) etaient des diplomes universitaires. La majorite, 354 (83,1%) n’avaient jamais ete enceintes. Le score moyen des connaissances etait de 12,0 ± 4,5 sur 25. Seulement 41,4% avaient de bonnes connaissances. Le score de perception moyen etait de 62,2 ± 7,6 sur 77 et 426 (100%) avaient une perception positive. Le score de pratique moyen etait de 2,9 ± 3,8 sur 14. Seulement 21,2% des femmes ayant l’intention d’etre enceintes avaient de bonnes pratiques de SP. Une proportion plus elevee de repondantes âges de 25 a 30 ans (47,8%) avait une bonne connaissance de SP. L’âge plus avance, 25-30 ans, etait un predicteur de bonne connaissance de SP (OR:1,5, IC a 95% : 1,04 -2,27). Une proportion plus elevee des repondantes ayant une bonne connaissance de SP avait de bonnes pratiques. Ceci etait statistiquement significatif. La connaissance de SP etait un predicteur de bonnes pratiques (OR : 1,83, IC a 95% : 1,10 - 3,06). Conclusion: La connaissance et la pratique de SP chez les jeunes femmes diplomees sont faibles. Une intervention d’education sanitaire sur tous les aspects de SP est necessaire chez ces jeunes femmes. Mots cles: soins pre-conceptionnels, femmes diplomees, membres du corps des jeunes Correspondence: Dr. Mary O. Balogun, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: mobalogun2004@yahoo.com