Preconception care: A Strategy to reduce Neonatal / Child and Maternal Mortality

Abstract

High Neonatal / Child and Maternal mortality still remain an issue of great concern in
the developing countries. These mortalities are as a result of conditions or diseases that are
preventable only if early detection and interventions are done. These interventions that affect the
mother and child and the family at large can be achieved through adequate Preconception Care.
Preconception care is therefore the interventions that aim to identify and modify biomedical,
behavioral and social risks to a woman’s health or pregnancy outcome through prevention and
management by emphasizing those factors that must be acted on before conception or early in
pregnancy to have maximal impact. Its components includes: Health promotion (for example,
education and information dissemination), Nutritional planning and supplementation, Screening
and vaccination for diseases known to affect maternal health and pregnancy outcomes and Family
Planning. However, majority especially, the adolescences which are the group that is most affected
are not aware of the preconception care and its importance before entering into relationship that
leads to childbearing. This therefore has prompted the review of this topic.