Preconception care utilization and associated factors among low-income household mother in Sidama region, Ethiopia: cross-sectional study design

Background: Preconception Preconception care (PCC) utilization remains a significant challenge in low- and middle-income countries, contributing to prevent high rates of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Despite its critical impact on health outcomes, there is a little evidence concerning the prevalence and determinants of service utilization within the Sidama region. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of preconception care utilization and its associated factors among low-income household mother in Sidama, Ethiopia, in 2025. Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 406 participants by using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using koobotool box, and exported to SPSS Version 25 for analysis. Binary logistic was employed to identify candidate variable (P-value≤ 0.25) for a multivariable logistic regression. A variable with P-value <0.05 in multivariable logistic regressions at 95% confidence interval was declared as having significant associations. Result: The study revealed that the prevalence of preconception care utilization among low-income household mother was 41.2 %( 95%CI: 34.5-46.1). The overall proper knowledge and attitude of professional ethics was 36.4%, 58.8% respectively. Level of education college and above (AOR= 5.08; 95%CI: 2.47 -12.07) and prim-gravid (AOR: 2.1; 95%1.3 to 5.9) were factors significantly associated with pre conception care utilization of mothers. Conclusion: This study revealed that the prevalence of preconception care utilization among low-income urban mothers was low. The level of education, college and above and being prim-gravidwere factors significantly associated with preconception care utilization. Thus, health promotion for low-income urban mothers on preconception care should be given by health care providers to increase proportion of service utilization.