Integration of preconception care into the bachelor of nursing curriculum: An exploratory qualitative study

BACKGROUND: The significance of ensuring high quality of care has become apparent in nursing and midwifery education worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This has led to upgrades of the nursing curriculum to include several aspects of care that have been overlooked with recent evidence-based care. OBJECTIVES: To explore the integration of preconception care (PCC) into the Bachelor of nursing curriculum in South Africa. DESIGN: An exploratory qualitative study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study was conducted in a higher education institution in South Africa that has recently revised its Bachelor of nursing curriculum. Data sources were Bachelor educators and program documents. METHODS: Individual in-depth interviews were conducted among ten nurse educators. Interviews were complemented with an analysis of the curriculum documents for the Bachelor of nursing program using the BEKA (benchmarking, evidencing, knowing, and applying) model of curriculum analysis and evaluation. FINDINGS: Benchmarking and evidencing of the Bachelor of nursing curriculum reveals a high level of compliance with the externally set standards. Both data sources pointed to some degree of incorporating the preconception care concept into the curriculum. The educators perceived that for full integration to occur, preconception care should be taught as a standalone topic. Lack of focus and poor perception was further reported as barriers to introducing the concept. Most preconception care components and services were taught to students throughout the four hundred levels of the nursing program, especially in the sexual and reproductive health module. Gaps were noted in female genital mutilation, mental health, environmental health, preconception vaccination, and other aspects where preconception care needs emphasis. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a high level of integration of preconception care competency in the Bachelor of nursing curriculum. Especially in the sexual and reproductive health module, most preconception care components are taught to students. However, there is a need to emphasise the preconception nursing management of women with certain conditions. To ensure nurses’ role in providing health for all, safeguarding reproductive health, and maintaining the health continuum is enhanced.