Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41360475›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Preconception health risk profiles among women planning pregnancy in northern Ethiopia: a latent class analysis.

Gebremedhin Gebreegziabher Gebretsadik, Andargachew Kassa Biratu, Alemayehu Bayray Kahsay, Afework Mulugeta, Amanuel Gessessew, Zohra S Lassi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Gebremedhin Gebreegziabher GebretsadikCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Adigrat University, Adigrat, Tigray, Ethiopia gebremedhingebretsad@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9180-6162
Andargachew Kassa BiratuSchool of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
Alemayehu Bayray KahsaySchool of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia.
Afework MulugetaSchool of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia.
Amanuel GessessewSchool of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia.
Zohra S LassiSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5350-6334

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesAlthough the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classify preconception health risks (PCHRs) into biomedical, behavioural and social categories, this classification remains theoretical, mainly inconsistent and lacks a scientifically robust framework. Data-driven clustering techniques may help clarify this complexity for policymakers and healthcare providers. This study aimed to assess the status of PCHRs and identify latent classes of these risks among women preparing for pregnancy. DESIGN AND

methodsThis community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 31 July to 16 August 2024 in Tigray, Ethiopia, among 865 married women planning to conceive within the next 6 months. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Risk factor indicators covering lifestyle behaviours, substance use, nutritional risks and related factors were developed based on guidelines from the WHO, the CDC and national recommendations. Latent class analysis (LCA) was employed to identify distinct classes of PCHRs, with the optimal number of classes determined using statistical fit indices, adequacy criteria and interpretability. The study also evaluated the overall distribution of PCHRs among participants. SETTING AND

participantsThe study took place in Tigray, Ethiopia, among married women intending to become pregnant within 6 months. OUTCOME: Burden of PCHRs and identified distinct latent classes of these risks within the participants.

resultsAll participants were exposed to at least four PCHRs, with 84.2% experiencing between 6 and 12 risk factors. The optimal LCA model identified four distinct classes of PCHRs: lifestyle behavioural risks (n=458, 52.9%), reproductive health risks and chronic medical conditions (n=106, 12.25%), nutritional risks and environmental exposure (n=149, 17.23%) and social determinants of health (n=152, 17.57%).

conclusionsOur study reveals a high baseline level of PCHRs, with all participants exhibiting multiple risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The identification of four distinct risk profiles underscores the need for tailored risk-specific interventions, particularly in conflict-affected settings. Our findings point out the need for targeted preconception care and risk stratification in national health strategies to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Indexed as

Preconception CareAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesEthiopiaFemaleHumansLatent Class AnalysisLife StylePregnancyRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultNutritionREPRODUCTIVE MEDICINERisk AssessmentSEXUAL MEDICINE

Identifiers

PMID41360475
PMCPMC12684160

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.