Title
Women's interest in GP-initiated pre-conception counselling in the Netherlands
Author
de Jong-Potjer, L.C.
de Bock, G.H.
Zaadstra, B.M.
de Jong, O.R.W.
Verloove-Vanhorick, S.P.
Springer, M.P.
Publication year
2003
Abstract
Background. Pre-conception counselling has the potential to reduce pregnancy complications and congenital disorders. The timing of counselling, before conception, is crucial to maximize the benefit. As many couples are unaware of their risk status and the fact that the first period of pregnancy is crucial, they do not seek information before pregnancy occurs. To reach couples with timely information, it seems that a health care worker needs to take the initiative. In The Netherlands, the GP is in an ideal position to offer pre-conception counselling. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the interest of women aged 18-40 in pre-conception counselling if this is offered to them by their own GP. Method. A cohort of women (n = 1206) received a personal letter from their own GP with an offer of pre-conception counselling. The women were requested to fill in a reply form, indicating if they were interested, might be interested (if they decided to become pregnant) or were not interested in an invitation for pre-conception counselling. When interested, they were asked to give an indication as to when they were planning a pregnancy. Women who were not interested were requested to give a reason. Results. Almost 70% of the women returned the reply form. Up to the age of 29 years, at least 80% of the respondents were interested or might be interested should they decide to have children. Most women, especially the younger women, do not know exactly when they wish to become pregnant. Regardless of age, >70% of the respondents were interested. Only 11% of the respondents indicated specifically that they were not interested in advice. Conclusion. Women are interested in GP-initiated pre-conception counselling. Further research is needed to assess the effect of programmed and systematic pre-conception counselling, offered by GPs, on pregnancy outcome and the health of the children. A randomized controlled trial to assess these effects currently is being conducted at the Department of General Practice in Leiden.
Subject
Health
General practice
Pre-conception care
Age
Child health
Clinical research
Clinical trial
Cohort analysis
Controlled clinical trial
Controlled study
General practice
General practitioner
Penetic counseling
Patient attitude
Randomized controlled trial
Abnormalities
Adolescent
Adult
Counseling
Family Planning Services
Family Practice
Female
Humans
Netherlands
Preconception Care
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:9970495d-22fd-4e59-adcc-90e59e3ea95f
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/20.2.142
TNO identifier
237027
ISSN
0263-2136
Source
Family Practice, 20 (2), 142-146
Document type
article