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

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%).

Key words: health knowledge, low-income, Mexican American, preconception care, prenatal care