Awareness and Knowledge About Preconception Healthcare: A Cross-Sectional Study of Early Years UAE Medical Students.
Sara Maki, Shamsa Al Awar, Sara Alhosani, Latifa Alshamsi, Shamma Alzaabi, Mohammad Ali Alsaadi, Mahra Alhammadi, Hamad Alhosani, Gehan Sayed Salam, Stanis��aw W��jtowicz, Kornelia Zar��ba
Author Information
Sara Maki: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Shamsa Al Awar: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Sara Alhosani: College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Latifa Alshamsi: College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Shamma Alzaabi: College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Mohammad Ali Alsaadi: College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates. ORCID
Mahra Alhammadi: College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Hamad Alhosani: College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Gehan Sayed Salam: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Stanis��aw W��jtowicz: Department of Health Psychology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland.
Kornelia Zar��ba: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates. ORCID
Preconception health is critical for improving maternal and child health. The main objective of the study was to explore medical students' health habits, quality of life, and knowledge of preconception healthcare. We conducted a cross-sectional study between 15 March 2023 and 31 May 2024 among medical students at United Arab Emirates University. To determine awareness and knowledge of preconception health, we administered a survey consisting of an author's questionnaire with 35 questions covering sociodemographic characteristics and general knowledge of preconception health, as well as the WHO Quality of Life Scale-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). The participants were predominantly under 25 years old (98.5%), Emirati (91.1%), single (92.6%), and female (95.8%); only 3.4% had been pregnant before. Regarding health awareness and behaviors, a significant number of females (58.0%) had never visited a gynecologist. The majority of students (72.4%) participated in sports activities. The overall level of knowledge was low, with a mean level of 7.5 (SD = 6.36) out of 24. The Internet (webpages, blogs, webinars) (64.5%) was the major source of knowledge regarding healthcare information, followed by social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram) and mobile applications (57.5%), books (48.6%), and family members (57.0%). There was a statistically significant correlation between knowledge levels and the Internet ( < 0.004) or family ( < 0.001) as a source of knowledge. Additionally, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between knowledge and quality of life across all four WHOQOL domains. Medical knowledge might positively affect general well-being. Fostering stronger social networks and support systems could benefit preconceptional awareness and knowledge.
