Optimising Health through Preconception Care Services: A Qualitative Exploration of the Knowledge, Uptake and Need in the Nigerian Health Care System

Oludoyinmola O. Ojifinni, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
Latifat Ibisomi, Wits University

Preconception care (PCC) is specialised care targeted towards optimising the health status of potential parents to ensure a healthy pregnancy experience and outcome, which can also be a strategy for optimising health and mitigating disease occurrence. This exploratory qualitative study involved focus group discussions, key informant interviews and in-depth interviews within the community and health system in Nigeria. The findings revealed no structured PCC services in the country but some services are provided on demand. There was good understanding of the importance of PCC and a positive attitude towards its use, but women who had pre-existing medical conditions lacked awareness. The policy makers provided insight for PCC integration into existing health policies while the health workers emphasised the need to embed PCC into existing health services. Successful deployment of PCC in the Nigerian health will serve as a reference point to optimise health in other LMICs.