Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Preconception Care: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Healthcare Workers in a...

Background Preconception care (PCC) improves maternal and child health outcomes by optimizing women's and couples' health before pregnancy through health education, supplementary medication, dietary modifications, and reducing preconception risk factors. In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) directed all nations to develop their own PCC policies based on national needs. The government of India included PCC as a key strategy to reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity in the India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) in 2014. However, its implementation remains limited in India. Healthcare workers, who provide primary health care in rural areas, are frontline personnel capable of playing a vital role in delivering PCC in these regions. This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding PCC among healthcare workers in a rural block of Jammu and Kashmir, North India. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2024 to July 2025. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning PCC. Data were described using frequencies, proportions, means, and standard deviations. The chi-square test was employed to analyze associations in bivariate analysis. Results Among 115 healthcare workers, 58 (50.4%) were Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, 38 (33.1%) were Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), General Nursing and Midwifery (GNMs), Multipurpose Health Workers (MPHWs), or Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), and 19 (16.5%) were medical officers. Of the participants, 68 (59.1%) had poor knowledge, and 66 (57.4%) displayed a negative attitude. Only 21 (18.3%) of them demonstrated good practices. Gaps were observed in understanding various PCC components, including preconception folic acid dosage, the adverse effects of obesity, intimate partner violence, exposure to environmental toxins, and the teratogenic effects of drugs. The level of education and professional background were significantly associated with knowledge, practice, and attitude scores. Conclusions Rural healthcare workers in India exhibit limited knowledge, negative attitudes, and inadequate practices regarding PCC. Training programs may help improve their knowledge, foster a positive attitude, and enhance the practice of PCC, thereby bridging the gap in the continuum of care.