What does ‘preconception health’ mean to people? A public consultation on awareness and use of language

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionThere is growing scientific and policy recognition that optimising health before a potential pregnancy (preconception health) improves reproductive outcomes and the lifelong health of future children. However, public awareness on this topic is low. We conducted a public consultation to develop language recommendations and identify and prioritise approaches to inform research and improve public awareness of preconception health.MethodsA public consultation was undertaken with people of any gender aged 18-50 years living in the UK who were not currently expecting a child. Public contributors were recruited through patient and public involvement, community and support groups, an existing cohort study, and an LGBTQ+ charity. An initial round of online group discussions (February/March 2021) explored public contributors’ knowledge of preconception health, their recommendations for appropriate language, and ideas about public health approaches. In a subsequent discussion round (May 2021), language recommendations were refined, and suggested approaches prioritised. Discussions were summarised based on notes taken by two researchers.Results54 people joined the initial discussion round (66% women, 21% men, 13% non-binary or transgender; 55% aged 18-30 years, 30% 31-40 years, 15% 41-50 years). Of these, 36 people (67%) participated in the subsequent round. Very few had heard the term ‘preconception health’, understood what it means, or why and for whom it is important. They recommended avoiding unfamiliar terms without further explanation (e.g. preconception health, medical terms), using language that is positive, encouraging and gender-sensitive where possible, and using messages that are specific, non-judgmental and realistic. The phrases ‘health and wellbeing during the childbearing years’, ‘health and wellbeing before pregnancy and parenthood’ and ‘planning for parenthood’ resonated with most public contributors. School-based education, social media campaigns and the National Health Service emerged as priority approaches/settings for raising awareness.ConclusionThis public consultation produced recommendations from a diverse group of people of reproductive age in the UK to improve language and prioritise approaches that increase public understanding of preconception health in ways that are relevant and appropriate to them. This should begin in schools and will require adaptation of curricula, alongside co-development of public awareness campaigns and guidance for healthcare professionals.Patient or public contributionThis public consultation included a diverse group of members of the public. They were not involved in the original design of the project, but following the initial round of online group discussions, they contributed to interpretation and refinement of the emerging concepts in a subsequent round of group meetings. After the consultation activity, public contributors formed a Public Advisory Group and have subsequently been involved in other studies on the same topic. Two public contributors (ER, FF) provided critical input in the preparation and revision of this manuscript and are co-authors on the paper.