Peer-reviewed article
Understanding community perceptions, preparedness, and expectations of preconception care: A formative research approach.
Misra S, Mahajan K, Gawai M, Raut AV, Varma P et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study explored what rural communities in Maharashtra, India understand about preconception care (preparing for healthy pregnancy before conception) and what they expect from such services. Researchers spoke with eligible couples, village leaders, and health workers across 96 villages to understand their views. Communities had limited awareness of preconception care but recognized its benefits for maternal health and wanted accessible, affordable local clinics staffed by nurses and doctors.
Key points
- Limited community awareness of preconception care, particularly regarding genetic screening and early detection
- Communities recognized benefits for maternal health and safer deliveries and strongly supported locally accessible clinics
- Participants prioritized health screening, family well-being, and lifestyle changes as part of preconception care
- Communities proposed low-cost services managed locally and promoted through self-help groups and village platforms
- Communities expected services to include diagnostics, infertility treatment, nutrition support, and counseling delivered by both doctors and nurses
Limitations
This is formative research exploring perceptions and preferences rather than measuring health outcomes or testing interventions. The study cannot tell us whether preconception care services, once implemented as communities suggested, would actually improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Abstract
Background Addressing preconception health through targeted interventions, as advocated by the WHO, can greatly improve maternal and child outcomes. Objectives The study explores community perceptions, preparedness, and expectations regarding preconception care (PCC). It evaluates the acceptance of nurses delivering PCC services, the efficiency of a community-based PCC package, and community readiness for village-level PCC services, aiming to co-develop a tailored PCC package. Design and methods This formative research, conducted from March to September 2024, used a qualitative approach comprising focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and free listing with ranking exercises across 96 villages under four primary health centers (PHCs) in rural Maharashtra, India with population of around 120,000, was carried out across four PHCs: PHC An (28 villages), PHC Kh (G) (25 villages), PHC Ta (Wa) (25 villages), and PHC Wa (26 villages). The study involved diverse participants, including eligible couples, village representatives, and community health workers. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis, employing both deductive and inductive methods to identify themes related to perceptions, contributions, and expectations for PCC. Results The study revealed limited community awareness of PCC, especially regarding genetic screening and early detection. Despite this, participants recognized PCC's benefits for maternal health and safer deliveries, strongly supporting locally accessible clinics. Community priorities such as health screening, family well-being, and lifestyle changes reflected a holistic view of PCC. Communities proposed low-cost services, local clinic management, and promotion via self-help groups and village platforms. Expectations included diagnostics, infertility treatment, nutrition support, and counseling, with calls for both doctors and nurses to deliver services effectively. Conclusion The findings highlight the community's readiness to adopt PCC services, provided they are affordable, accessible, and tailored to local needs. The study underscores the importance of culturally sensitive approaches and leveraging community networks to promote PCC. Integrating locally prioritized areas into PCC frameworks can enhance maternal and child health outcomes and ensure effective implementation in resource-limited settings.