BACKGROUND:
Preconception care has garnered growing attention. Adopting healthier lifestyle habits during this period not only supports pregnancy preparation but also promotes long-term health consciousness. Postpartum, irregular routines due to breastfeeding and childcare may hinder health management and increase the risk of postpartum depression—a key contributor to maternal suicide. Therefore, promoting health management before pregnancy and childbirth is critical.

OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to investigate subjective health perceptions and preventive health behaviors among women of reproductive age.

METHODS:
A web-based survey was conducted among 1,200 women aged 25–44. The questionnaire collected demographic information, history of health checkups, and cancer screening. It incorporated a Preventive Health Behavior Scale and a Subjective Well-being Inventory. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to compare scores by health checkup status, with significance set at p < 0.05. Free-text responses regarding checkups were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the affiliated institution (No. 23045-2). The authors declare no competing interest.

RESULTS:
The mean age of the participants was 34.6 years (range:25-44); 725 women (60.4%) had received regular health checkups, while 475 (39.6%) had not. Preventive behavior scores were significantly higher in the checkup group than in the non-checkup group (10.3 vs. 8.5, p < 0.001). However, subjective health scores were significantly higher in the non-checkup group than in the checkup group (82.0 vs. 76.6, p < 0.001). In the free-text responses, many respondents commented on financial burden and balancing childcare responsibilities.

CONCLUSIONS:
Regular health checkups were associated with greater engagement in preventive behaviors. However, a discrepancy was observed between perceived health and actual behavior. Support systems must address financial and caregiving challenges to promote preventive care during the preconception period.

KEY MESSAGE:
Encouraging preventive health behaviors through medical contacts such as health checkups, is effective for women in the preconception period. Poster session 4 (Group B)