The Effect of Preconception Counseling According to the Theory of Planned Behavior with the Presence of the Spouse on Preconception Health Behaviors – A Training Trial Study

Preconception care consists of biomedical, behavioral, and social services, along with health interventions, for women and couples before conception to improve their health status and reduce individual and environmental high-risk behaviors. This study aimed to assess to preconception counseling according to the theory of planned behavior with the presence of the spouse on preconception care behaviors. This study was an educational trial. The researcher randomly divided women into two intervention and control groups. The control group only received routine preconception care with the presence of the spouse. The intervention group according to the theory of planned behavior received the 60-minute face-to-face and group counseling weekly sessions. Outcomes of behavior were divided into two categories, including screening tests and vaccinations, and individual lifestyle (exercise, nutrition, and smoking). The questions also focused on men’s check-up tests. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, chi-square, repeated measures test, and SPSS 26 software. The lifestyle behaviors score indicating no significant differences Between two groups (p=0.08). However, the two groups had a significant increase in healthy lifestyles over time, including nutrition and exercise. The results also showed that the mean of test and vaccination indicating no significant differences too. Since the presence of the husband during the training of women's pre-pregnancy care can affect their health behaviors regardless of the type of intervention, men are suggested to attend pre-pregnancy training and consultations for at least one session.