AUTHOR=Fetena Negash , Negash Abraham , Kebede Alemi , Sertsu Addisu , Nega Addisu , Nigussie Kabtamu , Lami Magarsa , Yadeta Elias , Dereje Jerman , Tamire Aklilu , Tolessa Fikadu , Tadele Afework 

TITLE=Utilization of preconception care and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Fiche Town, Central Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study 2021

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Global Women's Health

VOLUME=Volume 4 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womens-health/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2023.1159693

DOI=10.3389/fgwh.2023.1159693

ISSN=2673-5059

ABSTRACT=Preconception care is an important preventive intervention for adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is recognized as a strategy to optimize women's health and pregnancy outcomes in Western countries. However, preconception care is underutilized in sub-Saharan Africa, like Ethiopia, where maternal mortality is high. Evidence is scarce in the study area about the prevalence and factors associated with preconception care utilization. Therefore this study aimed to assess the proportion of preconception care utilization and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Fiche town, central Ethiopia, 2021 Method A community-based cross-sectional study was done from May 10 to June 25, 2021. A systematic random sample technique was used to choose 393 pregnant women for the study. A structured, pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and then exported into SPSS version 25 for analysis. ABivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to check for the association.Odd ratio along with 95% was used to describe the association. Finally, a significant association was declared at a p-value less than 0.05.388 respondents participated in this study, making the response rate 98.7%. Of total study participants only 84 (21.6%; 95% CI, 18, 25.8) utilized preconception care. The study found that diploma or higher level of education (