Change in Lifestyle Behaviors After Preconception Care: A Prospective Cohort Study

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of preconception care (PCC) consultations by change in lifestyle behaviors. Setting and Intervention: Women in deprived neighborhoods of 14 Dutch municipalities were encouraged to visit a general practitioner or midwife for PCC. Sample: The study included women aged...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of health promotion 2021-01, Vol.35 (1), p.116-120
Main Authors: Sijpkens, Meertien K., van Voorst, Sabine F., Rosman, Ageeth N., de Jong-Potjer, Lieke C., Denktaş, Semiha, Koch, Birgit C.P., Bertens, Loes C.M., Steegers, Eric A.P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acids
Alcohol use
Applied Research Briefs
Behavior change
Biological markers
Biomarkers
Cohort analysis
Drinking behavior
Drug abuse
Family physicians
Folic acid
Health promotion
Health technology assessment
Lifestyles
Midwives
Neighborhoods
Smoking
Vitamin B
Women
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Summary:Purpose: To evaluate the effects of preconception care (PCC) consultations by change in lifestyle behaviors. Setting and Intervention: Women in deprived neighborhoods of 14 Dutch municipalities were encouraged to visit a general practitioner or midwife for PCC. Sample: The study included women aged 18 to 41 years who had a PCC consultation. Design: In this community-based prospective cohort study, we assessed initiation of folic acid supplementation, cessation of smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use. Measures: Self-reported and biomarker data on behavioral changes were obtained at baseline and 3 months later. Analysis: The changes in prevalence were assessed with the McNemar test. Results: Of the 259 included participants, paired analyses were available in 177 participants for self-reported outcomes and in 82 for biomarker outcomes. Baseline self-reported prevalence of no folic acid use was 36%, smoking 12%, weekly alcohol use 22%, and binge drinking 17%. Significant changes in prevalence toward better lifestyle during follow-up were seen for folic acid use (both self-reported, P < .001; and biomarker-confirmed, P = .008) and for self-reported binge drinking (P = .007). Conclusion: Our study suggests that PCC contributes to initiation of folic acid supplementation and cessation of binge drinking in women who intend to become pregnant. Although based on a small sample, the study adds to the limited body of evidence regarding the benefits of PCC in improving periconception health.
ISSN:0890-1171
2168-6602
DOI:10.1177/0890117120927287