Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39815259›Full record

SynthesisBMC women's health2025

Behavior changes to promote preconception health: a systematic review.

Maiko Suto, Kimiko Inaoka, Daichi Suzuki, Aya Nitamizu, Naoko Arata, Erika Ota

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC women's health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Guideline
  3. Pooled it
  4. Pooled it
  5. The Preconception Health and Health Behaviors of Australian First-Time Fathers: A Cross-Sectional Study.Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education · 2026
    Article
  6. Article
  7. 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.

Maiko SutoDepartment of Health Policy, National Center for Child Health and Development, 10-1 Okura 2-chome, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan.
Kimiko InaokaGlobal Health Nursing, The School of Nursing Science, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-3, Kozunomori, Narita City, Chiba, 286-8686, Japan.
Daichi SuzukiGlobal Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke's International University, 10-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0044, Japan.
Aya NitamizuGlobal Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke's International University, 10-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0044, Japan.
Naoko ArataDivision of Maternal Medicine, Center for Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 10-1 Okura 2-chome, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan.
Erika OtaGlobal Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke's International University, 10-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0044, Japan. ota@slcn.ac.jp.

Funding

JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 23K24663
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPreconception care is expected to prevent diseases, promote health, and improve pregnancy outcomes. Although a consensus exists on the efficacy of folic acid supplementation and preconception vaccination, evidence regarding comprehensive approaches to preconception care targeting the general population remains lacking. We aimed to identify and examine preconception care programs delivered to reproductive-aged women and men to promote behavioral change.

methodsWe searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases on November 30, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster RCTs assessing preconception care programs provided to the general population. We included behavioral change interventions, including screening, counseling, and education, to encourage preconception health. We performed a narrative synthesis of the characteristics and a summary of the intervention effects of the included studies.

resultsWe identified 26 trials (from 29 reports). Most of the studies recruited women. The most common study setting was healthcare services, and various types of behavioral change interventions were noted. All types of interventions, including individual education, group education, online education, and information campaigns, exhibited certain effects of improvement regarding behavioral change, knowledge, health outcomes, and other health-related outcomes in preconception health.

conclusionsIn this systematic review, only three studies recruited men. Further research on preconception care in men is needed. The topics typically addressed in preconception care are folic acid supplementation and nutrition. Additionally, further research is needed for a comprehensive approach, including physical, mental, and social health. Future research addressing the broad determinants of preconception health for both women and men could provide more effective preconception care.

Indexed as

Health BehaviorHealth PromotionPreconception CareFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansMalePregnancyHealth behaviorHealth promotionPreconception careSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID39815259
PMCPMC11736937

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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 Socratic graph.