Predictors of preconception health knowledge among Canadian women: A nationwide cross-sectional study

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Study Justification:
– Optimizing preconception health is crucial for improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
– Limited research has been conducted on preconception knowledge, particularly during the interconception period and among different groups of women.
– This study aims to determine predictors of preconception health knowledge among Canadian women and examine the effect of parity on these predictors.
Highlights:
– The study included 928 Canadian women and used an online questionnaire to collect data.
– Predictors of preconception health knowledge were identified, including household income, being born outside Canada, history of miscarriage/stillbirth, and previous use of preconception care.
– Parity did not significantly modify the effect of these predictors on preconception knowledge.
– Women at higher risk of poor preconception knowledge were identified, including those who are socially and economically disadvantaged, have not engaged in preconception care previously, and were not born in Canada.
Recommendations for Lay Reader and Policy Maker:
– National promotion of and access to preconception care should be ensured for all pregnancy-planning families.
– Interventions should target women who are socially and economically disadvantaged, have not received preconception care, and were not born in Canada.
– Improving preconception health knowledge can help prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes and optimize maternal and infant health.
Key Role Players:
– Healthcare professionals: Provide preconception care and education to women.
– Public health agencies: Develop and implement national promotion campaigns for preconception care.
– Policy makers: Allocate resources and create policies to support access to preconception care services.
– Researchers: Conduct further studies to explore additional predictors of preconception health knowledge and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Cost Items for Planning Recommendations:
– Development and implementation of national promotion campaigns.
– Training and education for healthcare professionals on preconception care.
– Resources for providing preconception care services.
– Research funding for further studies and evaluation of interventions.

The strength of evidence for this abstract is 7 out of 10.
The evidence in the abstract is rated 7 because it provides specific findings from a cross-sectional study with a large sample size. However, the abstract does not mention the methodology used to collect data or the representativeness of the sample. To improve the evidence, the abstract could include more details about the study design, sampling method, and response rate. Additionally, providing information about the validity and reliability of the Preconception Health Knowledge Questionnaire used in the study would enhance the evidence.

Background: Optimising preconception health—that is the health of women and men prior to a potential pregnancy—is increasingly recognised as fundamental to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. To date, limited research has been conducted examining preconception knowledge and studies focusing on preconception health behaviours have targeted certain behaviours, while overlooking others, with limited attention given to the interconception period and differences between multiparous and primiparous/nulliparous women. Aims: To determine predictors of preconception health knowledge among Canadian women and to examine whether parity modified the effect of predictors on preconception knowledge. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study reported according to STROBE was undertaken from May to June 2019 in Canada with 928 women. An online questionnaire was used including the Preconception Health Knowledge Questionnaire, demographic characteristics, current health status, previous pregnancy outcomes and use of preconception care services. Ordinary least squares regression was used to model knowledge scores. Predictors were entered using theoretically driven hierarchical entry. Results: Mean age of women was 34 years and one in five were immigrants. In the final model, household income (b =.17, SE =.07; p =.009), being born outside Canada (b = −.75, SE =.25; p =.003), miscarriage/stillbirth history (b =.47, SE =.21; p =.027) and previous use of preconception care (b =.97, SE =.20, p ⟩.001) were predictive of preconception health knowledge. Effect modification by parity was not statistically significant in the final model (f = 1.22, p =.19). Discussion: Women at higher risk of poor preconception knowledge, and who therefore stand to gain from preconception knowledge interventions may include those who (1) are socially and economically disadvantaged; (2) have not engaged in preconception care previously and (3) were not born in Canada. Ensuring national promotion of and access to preconception care is an important strategy to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes and optimise maternal and infant health. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for national promotion of and access to preconception health care for all pregnancy-planning families in order to improve perinatal outcomes. Relevance for clinical practice: When evaluating preconception health efforts, preconception health knowledge must be considered within the context of social determinants of health and individuals’ abilities to act on their knowledge.

Based on the provided description, here are some potential innovations that can be used to improve access to maternal health:

1. Digital Health Platforms: Develop user-friendly mobile applications or online platforms that provide comprehensive and accurate preconception health information. These platforms can include interactive tools, educational resources, and personalized recommendations to improve knowledge and awareness among women.

2. Telemedicine Services: Implement telemedicine services that allow women to access preconception care remotely. This can include virtual consultations with healthcare providers, remote monitoring of health indicators, and the ability to ask questions and receive guidance from professionals without the need for in-person visits.

3. Targeted Outreach Programs: Develop targeted outreach programs that specifically focus on reaching socially and economically disadvantaged women, as well as immigrant populations. These programs can involve community health workers, culturally sensitive materials, and language support to ensure that all women have access to preconception health information and resources.

4. Collaborative Care Models: Establish collaborative care models that involve multiple healthcare providers, including obstetricians, gynecologists, primary care physicians, and public health professionals. This integrated approach can ensure that preconception health is addressed comprehensively and that women receive appropriate care and support throughout their reproductive journey.

5. Public Health Campaigns: Launch national public health campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of preconception health and the availability of preconception care services. These campaigns can utilize various media channels, such as television, radio, social media, and community events, to reach a wide audience and promote positive health behaviors.

6. Health Education in Schools: Integrate preconception health education into school curricula to ensure that young individuals receive essential knowledge about reproductive health, family planning, and the importance of preconception care. This can help empower future generations to make informed decisions and take proactive steps towards optimizing their health before pregnancy.

It’s important to note that these are general recommendations based on the information provided. The implementation of specific innovations should be tailored to the local context and healthcare system of each country or region.
AI Innovations Description
Based on the provided description, the recommendation to improve access to maternal health is to focus on promoting and providing preconception health care for all pregnancy-planning families. This recommendation is based on the findings of the study, which identified several predictors of preconception health knowledge among Canadian women.

The study found that women who were socially and economically disadvantaged, had not engaged in preconception care previously, and were not born in Canada were at higher risk of poor preconception knowledge. Therefore, it is important to ensure that these women, along with all pregnancy-planning families, have access to preconception care services.

By promoting and providing preconception health care, healthcare providers can educate women and men about the importance of optimizing their health before pregnancy. This can include information on healthy lifestyle choices, nutrition, managing chronic conditions, and addressing any potential risks or concerns.

Additionally, efforts should be made to address the social determinants of health that may impact access to preconception care. This can involve implementing policies and programs that aim to reduce socioeconomic disparities and improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

Overall, the recommendation is to prioritize and invest in preconception health care as a strategy to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes and optimize maternal and infant health. By ensuring national promotion and access to preconception care, healthcare systems can work towards improving perinatal outcomes for all pregnancy-planning families.
AI Innovations Methodology
Based on the provided description, the study focuses on predictors of preconception health knowledge among Canadian women and emphasizes the importance of promoting and improving access to preconception care. To simulate the impact of recommendations on improving access to maternal health, the following methodology can be used:

1. Identify key recommendations: Review the findings of the study and identify the key recommendations for improving access to preconception care. These recommendations may include promoting awareness, providing education, enhancing healthcare services, and addressing social determinants of health.

2. Define indicators: Determine the indicators that will be used to measure the impact of the recommendations on improving access to maternal health. These indicators may include the number of women receiving preconception care, the level of preconception health knowledge among women, the reduction in adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the improvement in maternal and infant health outcomes.

3. Collect baseline data: Gather baseline data on the current status of access to preconception care and maternal health outcomes. This can be done through surveys, interviews, and analysis of existing data sources such as healthcare records and national statistics.

4. Develop a simulation model: Create a simulation model that incorporates the identified recommendations and indicators. This model should consider various factors such as population demographics, healthcare infrastructure, and the effectiveness of the recommendations in improving access to maternal health.

5. Input data and run simulations: Input the baseline data into the simulation model and run multiple simulations to assess the potential impact of the recommendations on improving access to maternal health. Adjust the parameters of the model to reflect different scenarios and evaluate the outcomes.

6. Analyze results: Analyze the results of the simulations to determine the potential impact of the recommendations on improving access to maternal health. Assess the changes in the indicators and compare them to the baseline data to understand the effectiveness of the recommendations.

7. Refine and validate the model: Refine the simulation model based on the analysis of the results and validate it using additional data sources or expert input. Ensure that the model accurately represents the real-world dynamics of access to maternal health.

8. Communicate findings: Present the findings of the simulation study, including the potential impact of the recommendations on improving access to maternal health. Clearly communicate the methodology used, the assumptions made, and the limitations of the study.

By following this methodology, researchers and policymakers can gain insights into the potential impact of recommendations on improving access to maternal health and make informed decisions to enhance preconception care services and optimize maternal and infant health outcomes.

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