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Preconception care in France.
Dominique Luton1, Anne Forestier2, Stéphanie Courau2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital Beaujon, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris VII, Paris, France.
Summary
Few French women attend dedicated preconception visits, despite increased healthy behaviors like folate supplementation and cessation of alcohol and tobacco. Further improvements in preconception care are needed for better perinatal outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Preconception care is crucial for improving perinatal outcomes globally.
- The adoption rate of dedicated medical preconception visits among women in France remains undocumented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the proportion of women in France attending preconception visits.
- To assess preconception care behaviors, including folate supplementation and cessation of alcohol and tobacco.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 401 women delivering in French maternity facilities.
- Data collection on preconception visit attendance and behaviors like folate supplementation, alcohol, and tobacco cessation.
Main Results:
- 21.6% of women used folate prescriptions; 91.3% ceased alcohol and 68.6% ceased tobacco use.
- Of women visiting a doctor within 6 months pre-conception (80.2%), only 13.8% discussed pregnancy plans.
Conclusions:
- While vitamin supplementation rates are low, preconception care behaviors show improvement.
- Opportunities exist to enhance preconception care practices and implementation.
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