Abstract

Background: Preconception Care (PCC) is a set of interventions that are to be provided before pregnancy, to promote the health and well-being of women and the pregnancy outcomes. One third of women in the world do not have access to pre-pregnancy with suitable and quality care. About 66% of the global maternal mortality rate were from sub-Saharan Africa where fewer pregnancies are planned and less than 10% of mothers get preconceptual care. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the hindrances of periconceptional services utilization. Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bushenyi district South Western region of Uganda, from January 2024 to May 2024. A systematic sampling technique was used to select 71 women, and face to face interview was used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software. Results: The study revealed that the majority, 47(66.2%), of respondents were aged between 26 and 35 years. About 32(45.1%), had attained secondary school, and 43(60.6%) of them knew about preconception care, while 61(85.9%) of the pregnancies were intended, and 49(69.0%) of the respondents, were get health-education on preconception care and its benefits.

Keywords: Preconception care, Hindrances of preconception care, Preconception utilization, Preconception service