Keywords
Abstract
Introduction Preconception health is a public health issue, concerning aspects that could have repercussions on pregnancy outcomes. Despite the importance, often there is a lack of knowledge, particularly among young women. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and health status of young women regarding preconception health in the Italian context.
Methods From July 2020 until April 2021 a validated questionnaire (systematic review, Delphi procedure and pilot study) was administered to a sample of 340 women aged 18 to 25 years, attending secondary grade schools and universities. It collected information on knowledge, physical, sexual and mental health. T-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine a statistically significant difference in knowledge mean score (KMS) among different groups.
Results KMS was 67.6% (SD=18.1). Participants with Italian nationality, enrolled in a health-field university, with a full-time job, an income higher than 35,000€/year and teachers or health providers as information source, had a significantly higher KMS. Only 15.9% of women who saw a gynaecologist in the last year (47.7%) asked about preconception health. Even if 56.5% knew that folic acid is effective in reducing the risk of neural tube defects, only 5.9% was taking it. 82.3% was living in stressing environment. Gender-based discrimination at work, school or family was felt by 25.1%, while 38.2% experienced at least one type of violence.
Conclusions Promoting preconception health by improving knowledge, attitudes and behaviours may be an impactful possibility to reduce inequalities and improve women’s, children’s, and communities’ health.
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