PASOs Preconception Health Outreach and Education Strategy
Research indicates a great need for preconception health education in South Carolina.
- Reproductive health disparities can be most effectively addressed before pregnancy occurs.
- The newly immigrated Latino population has high fertility rates and low access to reproductive health information and services, resulting in significant disparities.
PASOs is responding to the need by incorporating a preconception health outreach and education strategy into its program model using best practices and community input.
Strategy Priorities
- Folic Acid in preventing Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)
- Reproductive anatomy
- Methods of contraception
- Family planning and pregnancy spacing
- Access to health care services
Preconception health Strategy Components
- Culturally Appropriate Messages
- Community Outreach
- Health Education Workshops
- Engaging Materials
- Community Health Workers (Promotores)
- Partnership with Greenwood Genetic Center for Folic Acid Promotion
Future Plans for preconception health Strategy
- Promotores will take preconception health messages to their communities and help connect their peers to resources and services
- Media campaigns, such as radio soap operas, to increase the reach of the preconception health messages
- Work in partnership with health care providers, particularly FQHC’s
- Continue evaluation of culturally appropriate messages for various audiences, such as men and adolescents
For more information on PASOs Preconception Health Strategy, contact Margarita Franco margarita@scpasos.org or Lucy Willms lucy@scpasos.org .
Additional Links
Getting Fit Before Pregnancy
Source: March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Things to Think about Before You’re Pregnant
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
Preconception Care Questions and Answers
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
