2020 Volume 28 Issue 2 Pages 81-91
Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct evaluate a health education program to raise awareness of preconception care (PCC) for female workers of reproductive age.
Methods: 84 female workers aged 20 years to 35 years living in the Kinki and Tokyo metropolitan areas were participated. We conducted an intervention which consisted of “small-group health education seminars,” “group discussions,” and “feedback comments” using leaflets. Primary outcome indicators were knowledge of PCC, awareness and behavior related to PCC, and “food intake frequency survey.” Surveys were implemented before and at the end of the seminar and three months after the seminar. Statistical analyses were performed using Cochran’s Q test for knowledge of PCC, McNemar’s test for awareness and behavior related to PCC, and the paired t-test for the “food intake frequency survey.”
Results: Seventy-five participants (89%) were included in the analysis. The proportion of participants with knowledge of PCC was increased at the end of the seminar compared with before the seminar (P=0.020), and the knowledge level was maintained even three months later. The items that increased the proportion of participants who had awareness and behavior related to PCC after 3 months were actively eating foods containing folic acid (P=0.038) and self-screening for breast cancer (P=0.001).
Conclusion: This health education program was effective for establishing PCC knowledge at 3 months after the seminar and increasing the self-screening rate for breast cancer. For other behaviors related to PCC, we concluded that it is necessary to review the contents of the program.
