Taking SHAPE: peer educators' insights on promoting preconception health in the college setting

Preconception health is vital for improving personal health and increasing the chances of a healthy pregnancy. However, young adults often lack awareness of its importance for their overall and future health. Peer education effectively improves knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to preconception health among college students. While peer education has been studied in preconception health contexts within the USA, gaps remain in the literature regarding peer educators' lived experiences and perspectives. The Students Helping Advance Preconception Education (SHAPE) programme trains college students to serve as peer educators promoting preconception health topics to both campus and community peer learners. This study examined perspectives of the SHAPE peer educators (N = 15) themselves at a Southeastern university through focus groups and interviews. Data were collected between May and June 2025 using semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews. Rapid qualitative analysis was utilized to highlight key domains of programme implementation, peer engagement, and educator motivation and development. Educators identified challenges such as limited awareness and resource constraints and provided innovative engagement strategies. They discussed the need for ongoing training, culturally tailored resources, and institutional support. In this small exploratory sample, findings may offer insights into the value of peer perspectives in strengthening preconception health promotion initiatives.