Abstract
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
Abstrait
Contexte: Les jeunes femmes diplômées sont pour la plupart des jeunes dames ayant des intentions de grossesse. L’utilisation des soins pré-conceptionnels (SP) par les femmes réduira la mortalité maternelle qui est très élevée au Nigéria. Le but de l’étude était d’évaluer les connaissances, la perception et la pratique de SP parmi les femmes diplômées. L’étude a été réalisée à Ibadan, dans le sud-ouest du Nigéria.
Méthodes: L’étude était transversale dans sa conception et réalisée au Secrétariat du Corps de la Jeunesse pour le Service National, Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA), Agodi Area, Ibadan, Oyo State. Un échantillonnage total de 426 femmes a été effectué. Un questionnaire structuré adapté de 3 instruments préalablement validés a été utilisé.
Résultats: Leur âge moyen était de 24,4 ± 2,6 ans. La majorité, 344 (80,8%) étaient célibataires et 295 (69,2%) étaient des diplômés universitaires. La majorité, 354 (83,1%) n’avaient jamais été enceintes. Le score moyen des connaissances était de 12,0 ± 4,5 sur 25. Seulement 41,4% avaient de bonnes connaissances. Le score de perception moyen était de 62,2 ± 7,6 sur 77 et 426 (100%) avaient une perception positive. Le score de pratique moyen était de 2,9 ± 3,8 sur 14. Seulement 21,2% des femmes ayant l’intention d’être enceintes avaient de bonnes pratiques de SP. Une proportion plus élevée de répondantes âgés de 25 à 30 ans (47,8%) avait une bonne connaissance de SP. L’âge plus avancé, 25-30 ans, était un prédicteur de bonne connaissance de SP (OR:
1,5, IC à 95% : 1,04 -2,27). Une proportion plus élevée des répondantes ayant une bonne connaissance de SP avait de bonnes pratiques. Ceci était statistiquement significatif. La connaissance de SP était un prédicteur de bonnes pratiques (OR : 1,83, IC à 95% : 1,10 - 3,06).
Conclusion: La connaissance et la pratique de SP chez les jeunes femmes diplômées sont faibles. Une intervention d’éducation sanitaire sur tous les aspects de SP est nécessaire chez ces jeunes femmes.
Mots clés: soins pré-conceptionnels, femmes diplômées, 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
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