Preconception Care among Pregnant Women in an Urban and a Rural Health Facility in Kenya: A Quantitative Study

Preconception care (PCC) aims to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes, however, its utilization remains low in developing countries. This pilot study assesses the level and determinants of PCC in an urban and a rural health facility in Kenya. Unselected pregnant women were recruited consecutively at the Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinics in Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH, N-urban) and Maragua Level Four Hospital (MLFH-rural). The utilization of PCC was defined as contact with any health care provider before current pregnancy and addressing pregnancy planning and preparation. A cross-sectional approach was employed and data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. 194 participants were recruited (97 in each setting) of whom, 25.8% received PCC. Age, marital status, education, parity and occupation were significant determinants of PCC uptake. There was also a significant difference in PCC uptake between the rural (16.5%) and urban (35.1%) participants (p < 0.01), OR of 0.3 (0.19–0.72, 95% CI). The low level of PCC in Kenya revealed in this study is consistent with the low levels globally. However, this study was not powered to allow firm conclusions and analyze the true effects of PCC determinants. Therefore, further research in the field is recommended in order to inform strategies for increasing PCC utilization and awareness in Kenya.