Prevalence of Preconception Risk Factors Among Women From Tribal and Non-tribal Blocks in Nashik District, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Preconception phase in women though critical is comparatively ignored. The presence of risk factors affects well-being of the woman and her forthcoming progeny. The objectives of the study were to measure the prevalence of various risk factors among women and their comparison between blocks.Methods: This was a community based cross-sectional study in two tribal and two non-tribal blocks in Nasik district, Maharashtra, India. The study included women desiring conception within one year. Trained Accredited Social Health Activists collected information through house-to-house visits using a validated interview schedule. They recorded anthropometric measures of women in a standard manner. Results: The study enlisted 7,875 women desiring pregnancy soon. The mean age of women was 23.19 (+3.71) years and 16% of them were adolescents. Women's illiteracy was higher in tribal areas than non-tribal (p+3.51) and higher proportion (40.5%) of women from tribal areas were having BMIConclusions: Health risks namely younger age, illiteracy, high parity, consumption of tobacco, low protein and calories intake were found to be prevalent and the risks were significantly more among tribal women. “Continuum of care” must include preconception care.