Factors Predicting Preconception Health Behaviors Among Primiparous Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Nakhon Nayok Province
Keywords:
Preconception health behaviors, Primiparous women, Antenatal careAbstract
This predictive research aimed to study preconception health behaviors and the factors that can predict preconception health behaviors among primiparous women attending antenatal care at Nakhon Nayok Hospital. The participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. The sample size of 121 participants was calculated using the G*Power program. Data were collected using questionnaires consisting of: (1) personal and obstetric information, (2) preconception health behavior questionnaire, (3) knowledge about preconception health care questionnaire, (4) perceived risk of pregnancy questionnaire, (5) perceived benefits of preconception health care questionnaire, and (6) perceived barriers to preconception health care questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis with backword variable selection.
The results revealed that the overall mean score of preconception health behaviors was 50.98 (Mean= 1.83, SD = 7.68), indicating a moderate level of preconception health behaviors. The significant predictors of preconception health behaviors among primiparous women at the 0.05 level were educational level, perceived benefits, and age. These factors together could predict 22.2% of the variance in preconception health behaviors among primiparous women. These findings could be applied to improve preconception health promotion and service planning, particularly for primiparous women in similar contexts.
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