The effect of a local promotional campaign on preconceptional lifestyle changes and the use of preconception care

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a local promotional campaign on preconceptional lifestyle changes and the use of preconception care (PCC).

Material and methods: This quasi-comparative study was carried out between February 2015 and February 2016 at a community midwifery practice in the Netherlands. The intervention consisted of a dual track approach (i) a promotional campaign for couples who wish to conceive and (ii) a PCC pathway for health care providers. Questionnaires were collected from a sample of women who received antenatal care during the pre-intervention (n = 283) and post-intervention (n = 257) period. Main outcome measures were preconceptional lifestyle changes and PCC use (defined as searching for information and/or consulting a health care provider).

Results: Women who were exposed to the intervention were significantly more likely to make at least one lifestyle change during the preconception period [adjusted OR 1.56 (95% CI 1.02–2.39)]. Women were especially more likely to preconceptionally reduce or quit [adjusted OR 1.72 (95% CI 1.05–2.83)] their alcohol consumption after exposure to the intervention. Although non-significant, it appeared that women who were exposed to the intervention more often prepared themselves for pregnancy by means of independently searching for preconception health information [adjusted OR 1.13 (95% CI 0.77–1.65)] or consulting a health care provider regarding their wish to conceive [adjusted OR 1.24 (95% CI 0.81–1.92)].

Conclusions: Exposure to a local promotional campaign targeted at preconceptional health was associated with improved preconceptional lifestyle behaviours, especially with regard to alcohol consumption, and has the potential to improve the use of PCC.

摘要

目的：探讨地方宣传活动对孕前生活方式的改变和孕前保健的影响。方法： 2015年2月至2016年2月在荷兰社区助产实践开展一项比较研究。干预措施采用双重办法：一是为有妊娠计划的夫妇开展宣传活动；二为健康夫妇提供孕前保健途径。分为两组, 干预前(283人)和干预后(257人), 收集这些女性的调查问卷。主要结果指标为孕前生活方式的改变和孕前保健 (定义为：收集信息和/或咨询卫生保健者)。结果：接受干预的妇女更有可能在孕前期间至少改变一种生活方式[调整OR值为1.56 （95%CI：1.02-2.39)]。妇女在接触干预后更有可能在孕前期间减少或停止饮酒[调整OR值为1.72 （95%CI 1.05-2.83）]。虽然这些没有显著性差异, 但是接受干预的妇女似乎更能够通过独立搜索孕前健康信息[调整OR值为1.13（95%CI为0.77-1.65）]或咨询保健者关于她们是否愿意怀孕[调整OR值为1.24（95%CI为0.81-1.92）]来为怀孕做好准备。结论：与孕前保健有关的地方宣传活动能够改善孕前生活方式, 尤其是酒精的消费, 并有可能提高孕前保健。

Keywords:

• Preconception care
• pregnancy planning
• health behavior
• behavioral change
• health services use

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) under grant 209040005.