Knowledge among childbearing-age women regarding preconception healthcare services in the rural areas of Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District

Abstract

Background: Although Preconception Care (PCC) and Reproductive Life Planning (RLP) programmes were established by the National Department of Health (NDoH) for all women of childbearing age, most women do not receive the services. Although PCC is free throughout South Africa, including the area where the current study focused, majority of childbearing women still persistently miss this freely provided indispensable services. Thus, infant, and maternal morbidity and mortality rates are rising among this age group. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge among childbearing-age women regarding preconception healthcare services in the rural area of Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe district. Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, and cross-sectional survey was adopted as the design followed for this study. The population for the study comprised all women of childbearing age who met the inclusion criteria and were willing to participate from rural area of Thulamela municipality in Vhembe district. Purposive sampling method was used in this study. 117 respondents were available and willing to participate in this study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Venda, permission to access facilities from the province, and consent from the respondent was sought. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 27, was used for data analysis. The data analysis and summaries employed descriptive statistics, frequencies, and percentages. Results: The findings showed that respondents (70,9%) were not aware of PCC in the Rural area of Thulamela municipality, Vhembe district while a minority (31.62%) reported that they could access PCC. Conclusion: In this study, the use of PCC services was shown to be poor. The study recommends strengthening information sharing, health education and communication activities. Awareness towards childbearing women regarding PCC should be increased.