An examination of preconception health teaching by nurse practitioners

Fifteen nurse practitioners in a Midwestern urban area in the United States of America volunteered to participated in a study which sought to determine what preconception self-care practices are taught to female clients at risk for pregnancy as a part of routine health maintenance. Subjects' teaching responses were compared to an investigator-developed model for preconception counselling. The subjects listened to an audiotape of a stimulus client-nurse practitioner interview. Their responses were audiotaped and categorized into the following categories: nutrition, vitamins, preconception weight, menstrual cycle review, alcohol, smoking, drug use, exercise, environment hazards, dental care, immunizations, and 'other'. Frequency counts of the teaching responses and a X2 analysis comparing teaching responses to expected teaching based on the PREPARED model (X2 = 78.01, P = 0.001) demonstrated a lack of teaching overall. The conclusion was reached that obstetrical care has not expanded into preconception counselling.