Background: Pregnancies of diabetic women have increased risks of fetal congenital
malformations and maternal morbidities. Preconception care for these women may reduce the
risks of major malformations and perinatal mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
effect of counseling program on knowledge of diabetic women in preconception care.
Methods: This quiz experimental study was done in Diabetes outpatient clinics that are affiliated
to Ministry of health (MOH) hospitals in Assiut city, on 140 diabetic women of reproductive age
who were interviewed for assessment of their preconception care knowledge and for counseling
program of its items. Results: The majority of women in the present study suffered from type 1
diabetes (86.4%), lived in urban areas (61.4%), and achieved intermediate educational degrees
(51.4%). Nineteen percent showed previous history of spontaneous abortion. The used counseling
program resulted in significant improvement (p<0.05) of diabetic women's knowledge regarding
preconception care that was significantly associated with their higher educational level (p<0.001).
Conclusions: The given counseling program led to higher resulted in significant improvement of
preconception care knowledge improvement that was increased by the high women's educational
level.