ArticleBMJ open2026
Preconception care health literacy among medical students at a Japanese medical school: a cross-sectional study of knowledge-behaviour gaps across academic years.
Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
objectivesTo describe preconception care health literacy among medical students and examine knowledge-behaviour gaps across academic years and by future parenthood intention.
designCross-sectional online survey.
settingKawasaki Medical School, Japan.
participantsMedical students in years 1-6. A total of 613 students were included in the analysis. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Preconception care health literacy was assessed using a validated Japanese preconception care-specific scale comprising a knowledge domain (13 true/false/do not know items; total score 0-13) and a behaviour/skills domain (25 4-point Likert items; total score 25-100). Domain scores were compared across academic years and future parenthood intention groups. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed adjusting for age.
resultsThe mean age of participants was 22.53 years (SD 2.19). The mean knowledge score was 9.99 (SD 2.60) and the mean behaviour/skills score was 73.66 (SD 12.25). Knowledge scores increased with academic progression (year 1, 8.47 (SD 3.00); year 6, 11.14 (SD 1.34); p<0.001). In contrast, behaviour/skills scores did not differ significantly across academic years (p=0.092). Knowledge scores were similar across future parenthood intention groups (p=0.858). Behaviour/skills scores differed by intention (p=0.005), with higher scores among students who intended future parenthood than among those who were unsure or had not considered it.
conclusionsIntegrating skills-based training and reflective life-planning components into medical curricula may help strengthen preconception-related behaviours in medical students and may have indirect implications for their future readiness to support preconception care.
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