چکیده:
Pre-conception care is one of the most important components of
health care for women in reproductive age that seek to improve
women’s health by pregnancy risk-assessment, education, and
diagnostic interventions. This study aimed to assess health
care providers’ knowledge, attitude and practice about preconception
care. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study
comprising all health care providers in the city of Khoy as the
study population, selected in method (218 persons). Data were
collected through a field survey using a researcher constructed
questionnaire, to which 167 subjects (77%) responded. The
collected data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive
statistic and χ2 tests. Findings of present study showed that
physicians (63.6%), health technicians (68%), and healthcare
social workers (74.6%) had moderate knowledge and Bachelors
of Science in family health (66.7%) had a good knowledge
about preconception care. All groups had a positive attitude
toward preconception care. Practice of nearly 70% of physicians
and 75% of Bachelors of Science in family health in all preconception
care fields was poor, but majority of family physician
project midwives (64.7%) and healthcare social workers (52.4%)
had a moderate practice in this area. A significant correlation was
observed between study subjects’ educational qualifications and
their knowledge, attitude, and practice.
Given the results obtained in this study, staff training, preparation
for applicability of information, and increased sensitivity of
health care providers and others involved in providing obstetrics
and health services to pre-conception care appear necessary for
improvement of services in this area