Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Feb 24, 2021
Date Accepted: May 28, 2021
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Effect of preconception care intervention on maternal nutritional status and birth outcome in low resource setting- A non-randomized control trial.
ABSTRACT
Background:
The provision of preconception care approaches such as maternal assessments and education on healthy lifestyle (including physical activity, nutrition, and dietary supplements such as folic acid), general and sexual health, avoidance of high-risk behavior, and immunizations have been shown to identify and reduce the risk of adverse birth outcomes through appropriate management and preventive measures. Hence, the study intends to detect health problems early before pregnancy or prevent them through preconception care or may reduce the risk of adverse birth outcomes. Novelty: The study intends to measure the impact of integrated preconception care intervention on birth outcomes which is a new challenge for reducing adverse birth outcomes in a low resource setting of India.
Objective:
i) To determine the effect of preconception care intervention on maternal nutritional status and birth outcome. ii)To investigate the relationship of birth outcomes with both maternal and paternal preconception health.
Methods:
A non- randomized control trial design will be used for comparing 2 groups: (1) preconception care with maternal health care (MHC) program and (2) standard MHC program (without preconception care). Two rural field areas of Khurdha district, Odisha will be selected for conducting the study. A total of 782 ever-married women aged 16 to 35 years will be enrolled for the study and 391 women will be enrolled in each group. Expected Outcomes: Preconception care intervention will improve maternal nutritional status and reduce the risk of adverse birth outcomes such as prematurity, low birth weight, maternal and neonatal complications.
Results:
Recruitment of reproductive age group women will begin in April 2021 and outcome will be measured during 2023 to 2024.
Conclusions:
The eligible couple will recognize, accept, and adopt the measures to improve their preconception health through preconception counseling and health teaching. Ultimately, it is anticipated that there will be a strong impact of maternal and paternal health on improvement of maternal nutritional status and birth outcomes.
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