Health care provider s’ knowledge, attitude and practice regarding pre-conception care

Background & Aims: Preconception care is a part of the prenatal care and it is one of the important duties of Health care providers. This study was done for the purpose of determine Health care providers’ knowledge, attitude and practice about preconception care in Khoy city in 2009. Materials & Methods: this study was a cross sectional- descriptive study that the research community, were the city of Khoy all health care workers who were selected by census sampling method (218). Data collection tool included questionnaire (demographic characteristic, questions about knowledge, attitude and practice) about preconception care. 167 (77%) responded to the questionnaire. Data using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation) and were analyzed by X2-test. Results: family physicians, a two- year degree course in family health science groups and junior paramedics had an average level of knowledge(63.5,69% and 74.6% respectively) and (66.7)% masters of science in family health care had a good level of knowledge about this matter. All group of health care provider had a positive attitude about preconception care. More than of 70% family physicians and masters of science in family health had a poor practice about this matter. The majority of midwives (64.7%) and junior paramedics (52.4%) had a moderate practice about preconception care. There was a significant statistical difference between Health care providers’ degree of study and their knowledge, practice and attitude about preconception care(p<0.001, p= 0.06 , p=0.008 respectively). Conclusion: Staff training, preparation for practical information and sensitive personnel and other individuals involved in providing midwifery services to health care before pregnancy can lead to improved services in this field.