Abstract:
Introduction: Pre conception care is the provision of biomedical, behavioral, and social health interventions to women and couples before conception occurs. Health care provider’s knowledge, attitude, and implementation of preconception care are very low, especially in developing countries including Ethiopia
Objective: This study aimed to Assess Knowledge and Attitude towards Pre-conception care and associated factors among Health care providers working in public health facilities of south Gondar zone, North West, Ethiopia 2021.
Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 623 health care providers selected by a multi-stage sampling technique . A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the health institutions and the study participants were proportionally allocated to each selected facility. Data were collected by trained data collectors using structured, pre-tested, and self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statics was used to describe the number and percentage distribution of study variables using SPSS. In, bivariable analysis variables with a P-value of less than 0.2 were considered in multivariable logistic regression. Associations were described using 95%Ci and p-value <0.05 was used as a cut of value to determine statistical significance. The analysis was made by fixing CI at 95%.
Result: This study revealed that 56.5% of health care providers had good knowledge and 46.5% of them had a favorable attitude toward PCC. Health care providers who had a smartphone [AOR=2.42 (95%CI: 1.27-4.58)], Ever trained about PCC [AOR=3.89 (95%CI:2.30-6.57)],Read about PCC guide line (AOR=4.02(95% CI: 2.37-6.84),presence of PCC plan in their institution [AOR=2.99 (95%CI:1.58-5.68)], Free internet access in there working place [AOR 2.26(95%CI: 1.24-4.10)] and HCP with favorite attitude [AOR=2.83(95%CI:1.70-4.73 were found to be significantly associated with knowledge. Health care providers who had an educational status degree and above [AOR=4.50(2.81-7.19)] and ever read the PCC guide line [AOR= 1.45(1.0-2.11)] were found to be significantly associated with attitude.
Conclusion and recommendation: above half of the participants had good knowledge and less than half of the participants has a favorite attitude about PCC. HCP degree and above Educational status,use smart phone Presence of PCC plane read about PCC Ever trend about PCC,free internet access in their work place and favorite attitude can affect positively knowledge of HCP. Read PCC guide line and HCP's educational status degree and above can affect positively attitude of health care providers.The FMH and Regional health bureaus should consider to availing resources to increase the knowledge of HCPs.
Key words: knowledge, attitude, preconception care