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Awareness and Knowledge About Preconception Healthcare: A Cross-Sectional Study of Early Years UAE Medical Students

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Preconception health is critical for improving maternal and child health. Medical students appear to be the best group of medical practitioners for introducing appropriate habits to patients from the early stages of their professional careers. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study between March 15, 2023, and May 31, 2024, among medical students at United Arab Emirates University. To determine awareness and knowledge of pre-conception health, we administered a survey consisting of an author’s questionnaire with 35 questions covering sociodemographic characteristics and general knowledge of preconception health, as well as the WHO Quality of Life Scale-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: The participants were mainly young (98.5% were under 25 years old), Emirati (91.1%), single (92.6%), and female (95.8%); only 3.3% had been pregnant before. Regarding health awareness and behaviors, a significant number (59.8%) had never visited a gynecologist, but 72.4% participated in sports activities. The overall level of knowledge was low, with a median level of 7.5 (SD = 6.36) out of 24. The Internet (64.5%) was the major source of knowledge regarding healthcare information, followed by social media (57.5%), books (48.6%), and family members (57.0%). There was a statistically significant correlation between knowledge levels and the Internet (p < 0.004) or family (p < 0.001) as a source of knowledge. Additionally, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between knowledge and quality of life across all four WHOQOL domains. Conclusion: Medical knowledge might positively affect general well-being. Fostering stronger social networks and support systems could benefit preconceptional awareness and knowledge.

Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jcm14010181