Prevalence of preconception risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcome among women from tribal and non-tribal blocks in Nashik district, India: a cross-sectional study

Plain language summary Women’s health during the preconception phase although important, is an ignored period in her life cycle. Literature has shown that the presence of risk factors in women during the preconception phase is hazardous to the health of women and newborns. The present study is a cross-sectional study conducted in four blocks of Nasik district, Maharashtra, India, to measure risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcome among women and its comparison between blocks. We included married women desiring conception within 1 year. Accredited Social Health Activists asked questions using a validated interview schedule and recorded women’s anthropometric measures. Of the 7875 women, 16% were adolescents, and the mean age of women was 23.19 ± 3.71 years. About two-fifth of women had one risk factor, the commonest being no formal education. Overall mean BMI of women was 19.73 (± 3.51). The prevalence of risk factors was significantly higher among women from tribal areas. Despite having ≥ 4 parity a higher proportion of women from tribal areas desired to conceive. About 1.4% of women had protein and calorie intake below 50% recommended consumption. In conclusion, the prevalence of selected risk factors was significantly higher among tribal women. The study identifies the need for preconception care services.