Evaluation of an online learning module to improve nurses' and midwives' capacity to promote preconception health in primary healthcare settings.

Optimal parental preconception health improves the likelihood of a successful pregnancy and a healthy child. Although primary healthcare professionals believe that it is within their role to promote preconception health to people of reproductive age, few do this routinely, in part because they lack...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Australian Journal of Primary Health Vol. 27; no. 6; pp. 462 - 467
Autores principales: Hammarberg, Karin, Stocker, Ruby
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: CSIRO Publishing 2021
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Optimal parental preconception health improves the likelihood of a successful pregnancy and a healthy child. Although primary healthcare professionals believe that it is within their role to promote preconception health to people of reproductive age, few do this routinely, in part because they lack knowledge on the topic and confidence to discuss it with their patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of a free online learning module to assist nurses and midwives in primary health care to promote preconception health in their practice. A repeat online survey was administered before and after completion of the online learning module. The survey included questions gauging knowledge about and attitudes towards promoting preconception health. In all, 121 nurses/midwives completed the two surveys and the learning module. There were statistically significant improvements in the knowledge scores (from 6.42 to 8.31; P < 0.001) and in the proportion of participants who reported feeling confident in their knowledge about preconception health (from 15% to 53%). Almost all (95%) were satisfied with the duration and content of the learning module. The findings of this study suggest that the learning module is acceptable and improves nurses' and midwives' capacity to promote preconception health in their practice. Optimal parental preconception health is crucial for pregnancy health, as well as the health of the offspring at birth and into adulthood. We evaluated a free online learning module to enhance the capacity of nurses and midwives in primary care to promote preconception health. We found that the learning module improves knowledge about and attitudes towards promoting preconception health in practice.