Importance of Pre-pregnancy Counseling in Iran: Results from the High Risk Pregnancy Survey ۲۰۱۲

Background To identify the prevalence of behavioural (Pre-pregnancy), obstetrical and medical risks of pregnancy in Iranian women.   Methods A total of ۲۹۹۳ postpartum women who delivered in ۲۳ randomly selected hospitals of six provinces were enrolled in this nationwide cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was completed based on interviewees’ self-reports and medical record data, consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, behavioural, obstetrical and medical risks, before and during pregnancy.   Results Less than ۶.۰% had no health insurance and ۵.۰% had no prenatal visit before labour. Unintended pregnancy was reported by ۲۷.۵% of women. Waterpipe and/or cigarette smoking was reported by ۷.۱% of them and ۰.۹% abused opiates during pregnancy. Physical abuse by husband in the year before pregnancy occurred in ۷.۵% of participants. The rate of cesarean section was ۵۰.۴%. Preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth were seen in ۶.۸, ۷.۷, and ۱.۲% of deliveries respectively. The most frequent medical risk factors were urinary tract infection (۳۲.۵%), anemia (۲۱.۶%), and thyroid disease (۴.۱%).   Conclusion More effort should be devoted by health policymakers to the establishment of a preconception counselling (health education and risk assessment) and surveillance system; although obstetrical and medical risks should not be neglected too.

Keywords:

Pregnancy , Risk Factors , Women`s Health , Health Planning