Elizabeth Siraha - Lecturer, Department of Nursing Science, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences
Doreen Mukona - Senior Lecturer, Department of Nursing Science, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences
Mathilda Zvinavashe - Associate Professor, Department of Nursing Science, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences
Lillian Dodzo - Deputy Director Nursing Services, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe

Background & aim: Preconception care (PCC) is the provision of biomedical, behavioral, and social health interventions for women and couples before conception occurs. Although it serves to close the gap of poor maternal health through promoting good behavior, risk assessment and management of chronic medical conditions, treatment of infections, and vaccinations, but it is still a challenge to most women of the childbearing age worldwide. The present study was performed to investigate the perceptions of women of the childbearing age regarding PCC. Methods: A descriptivequalitative design was used on a purposive sample of eight pregnant women within the age range of 15-49 years attending Masvingo general hospital, Zimbabwe for antenatal care. The sample size was determined by data saturation. The data were collected within March 2018 to April 2018 through in-depth interviews, which were conducted in private rooms while detailed notes were taken. Thematic analysis was manually performed to analyse the data. Issues of trustworthiness was considered. Results: Major themes identified were inadequate knowledge of PCC, recognition of the importance of PCC, barriers to PCC, and facilitators of PCC. Conclusion: Women acknowledged the importance of PCC. However, there was a number of barriers to the full utilization of PCC, and it was a neglected aspect of maternal-child health. There is a need to promote the awareness of PCC to enable informed decision-making regarding the issues of fertility and pregnancy planning.

Preconception care, pregnancy, Qualitative study, thematic analysis