Adequacy of prenatal care as a major determinant of folic acid, iron, and vitamin intake during pregnancy

Maternal Knowledge Associated with the Prevalence of Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation Among Pregnant Women in Muntinlupa, Philippines: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

The World Health Organization advocates that all pregnant women in areas where anemia is prevalent receive supplements of iron and folic acid. However, owing to a myriad of factors, the uptake of iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) is still low in many countries. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of IFAS and its associated factors among pregnant women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a hospital in Muntinlupa, Philippines, between March and August 2019 among 280 pregnant women. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select participants. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with the prevalence of IFAS among pregnant women.

RESULTS

Among 280 pregnant women, a majority (85.6%, n= 238) took IFAS during pregnancy. Among the respondents, 128 (45.9%) women had knowledge about signs and symptoms of anemia, 126 (45.3%) had knowledge of the benefits associated with IFAS, and 42 (15.4%) had knowledge about side effects associated with IFAS. The main sources of information about IFAS were health care providers (41.8%), followed by community health workers (CHWs) (14.6%). Maternal knowledge concerning IFAS benefits (OR = 2.50, CI = 1.04-5.97, p=0.04) was positively associated with the prevalence of IFAS.

CONCLUSION

Maternal knowledge about the benefits of taking IFAS was significantly associated with the prevalence of IFAS among pregnant women in Muntinlupa, Philippines. There is a pressing need to improve health education on the benefits of IFAS among pregnant women to increase its prevalence. This emphasizes the necessity of increased involvement of health care providers and CHWs to increase women's knowledge of IFAS benefits and support them through pregnancy.

Prevalence and factors associated with the consumption of folic acid and iron in pregnant women in the BRISA cohort

Abstract Objectives: to describe the prevalence and factors associated with the consumption of folic acid and iron among puerperal women in the city of São Luís, Maranhão. Methods: a cross-sectional study with 4,036 puerperal women through a standardized questionnaire. The dependent variables (outcomes) were: the consumption of folic acid during pregnancy, iron and folic acid before pregnancy. The independent variables: age; schooling; skin color; marital status; income; planned pregnancy; place and number of prenatal consultations. Statistical analyzes were performed on STATA 14.0. For the first two outcomes, Poisson model with a robust variance was used. And for the last one, logistic regression. Results: the prevalence of consuming folic acid and iron during pregnancy were, respec-tively, 77.27% and 84.98%. However, only 0.37% reported the consume of folic acid and iron before pregnancy. In the adjusted analysis, the variables associated with the consumption of folic acid during pregnancy were: schooling and income; the consume of iron during preg-nancy, age only; and for those who consumed folic acid before pregnancy, no variable was statistically significant. Conclusions: high percentage of puerperal women who consumed folic acid and iron supplements during pregnancy, however, the recommended consumption of folic acid before pregnancy was low and maternal, social and economic factors influence the consumption of these supplements.

Pregnancy outcomes in asylum seekers in the North of the Netherlands: a retrospective documentary analysis

BACKGROUND

With more than 20,000 asylum seekers arriving every year, healthcare for this population has become an important issue. Pregnant asylum seekers seem to be at risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to assess the difference in pregnancy outcomes between asylum seekers and the local Dutch population and to identify potential substandard factors of care.

METHODS

Using a retrospective study design we compared pregnancy outcomes of asylum-seeking and Dutch women who gave birth in a northern region of the Netherlands between January 2012 and December 2016. The following data were compared: perinatal mortality, maternal mortality, gestational age at delivery, preterm delivery, birth weight, small for gestational age children, APGAR score, intrauterine foetal death, mode of delivery and the need for pain medication. Cases of perinatal mortality in asylum seekers were reviewed for potential substandard factors.

RESULTS

A total of 344 Asylum-seeking women and 2323 Dutch women were included. Asylum seekers had a higher rate of perinatal mortality (3.2% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.000) including a higher rate of intrauterine foetal death (2.3% vs. 0.2%, p = 0.000), higher gestational age at birth (39 + 4 vs. 38 + 6 weeks, p = 0.000), labour was less often induced (36.9 vs. 43.8, p = 0.016), postnatal hospitalization was longer (2.24 vs. 1.72 days p = 0.006) and they received more opioid analgesics (27.3% vs. 22%, p = 0.029). Babies born from asylum-seeking women had lower birth weights (3265 vs. 3385 g, p = 0.000) and were more often small for gestational age (13.9% vs. 8.4%, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that the increased risk of perinatal mortality in asylum-seeking women was independent of parity, birth weight and gestational age at birth. Review of the perinatal mortality cases in asylum seekers revealed possible substandard factors, such as late initiation of antenatal care, missed appointments because of transportation problems, not recognising alarm symptoms, not knowing who to contact and transfer to other locations during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant asylum seekers have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. More research is needed to identify which specific risk factors are involved in poor perinatal outcomes in asylum seekers and to identify strategies to improve perinatal care for this group of vulnerable women.

Predictors of prenatal iron folic acid supplement utilization in Wolaita, South Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study (quantitative and qualitative approach)

BACKGROUND

Effectiveness of prenatal iron supplementation program depends on utilization of the supplement by pregnant women. Nevertheless, in Ethiopia, regardless of increasing efforts, lower proportion of pregnant women use the supplementation for recommended 3 months and above but, the reason is not clear. This study aimed to identify the level and factors associated with utilization of prenatal iron supplementation.

METHODS

A community based cross-sectional quantitative study complemented with qualitative component was carried out in January, 2016. A total of 411 pregnant women who gave birth 6 months preceding data collection were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling technique. Qualitative data were collected by conducting four focus group discussions (FGDs) of local pregnant mothers and interviewing district maternal and child health (MCH) focal, 3MCH heads of health centers and four health extension workers. Factors associated with appropriate utilization of supplementation were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. The outputs of analyses were presented using Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULT

From the study participants, 11.5% (95% CI = 9.9-13.1%) took the supplement for the recommended duration of 3 months or above. Pregnant women who could not read and write had 77% reduced odds of using iron supplementation than their counterparts (AOR = 0.23(95% CI: 0.07-0.75)). As compared to women who had four or more antenatal care (ANC), women with 2 and 3 ANC visits had 78% (AOR = 0.22(0.07-0.63)) and 66% (AOR = 0.34(0.14-0.81)) reduced odds of using the supplementation, respectively. As compared to women who were aware of benefits of taking the supplement for maternal and child health, the counterparts had 90% (AOR = 0.10 (0.10-0.63)) reduced odds of using the supplement. Women who were not knowledgeable of anemia had 85% (AOR = 0.15(0.04-0.62) reduced odds of using the supplement than those who were knowledgeable. The qualitative study indicated that there was no problem in the supply and logistic system of iron supplement and leading reasons for not taking the supplement were late initiation of Antenatal Care, lack of awareness and occurrence of side effects; unpleasant taste, nausea, vomiting.

CONCLUSION

In the study area utilization of prenatal iron supplementation is very low. Improving maternal education, ensuring early and frequent ANC, educating pregnant women about the benefits of service and ensuring comprehensive knowledge of anemia expected to improve the utilization of prenatal iron supplementation.

Effect of a community-based approach of iron and folic acid supplementation on compliance by pregnant women in Kiambu County, Kenya: A quasi-experimental study

INTRODUCTION

Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) is an essential and affordable intervention strategy for prevention of anaemia during pregnancy. The supplements are currently provided for free to pregnant women in Kenya during antenatal care (ANC), but compliance remains low over the years. There is need for diversification of IFAS programme implementation by exploring other distribution channels to complement existing antenatal distribution and ensure consistent access to IFAS supplements.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of a community-based approach of IFAS distribution on compliance and assess side-effects experienced and their mitigation by pregnant women in Kiambu County.

METHODOLOGY

A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study design was used, consisting of an intervention and a control group, among 340 pregnant women 15-49 years, in five health facilities in Lari Sub-County in Kiambu County, between June 2016 and March 2017. Community health volunteers provided IFAS supplements, counselling and weekly follow-up to pregnant women in the intervention group while the control group followed standard practice from health facilities. Baseline and endline data were collected during antenatal care and compared. Quantitative data was analyzed using STATA version 14. Analysis of effect of intervention was done using Difference-In-Difference regression approach.

RESULTS

Levels of compliance increased by 8% in intervention group and 6% in control group. There was increased awareness of IFAS side-effects across groups. The intervention group reported experiencing less side-effects and were better able to manage them compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Implementation a community-based approach improved maternal compliance with IFAS, awareness of IFAS side effects and their management, with better improvement being recorded in the intervention group. Hence, there is need to integrate community-based approach with antenatal distribution of IFAS to improve supplementation.

Effect of community based health education on knowledge and attitude towards iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant women in Kiambu County, Kenya: A quasi experimental study

INTRODUCTION

Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) services are currently provided free of charge to pregnant women in Kenya during antenatal care (ANC) but compliance remains low. Poor awareness is an important factor contributing to low utilization of IFAS. Inadequate counselling is one of the key factors associated with poor awareness on IFAS. Community based health education is a promising diversification strategy for IFAS health education to curb this problem.

OBJECTIVES

To determine effect of community based IFAS health education, utilizing CHVs, on IFAS knowledge, levels of counselling on various IFAS topics and attitude towards IFAS among pregnant women in Kiambu County.

METHODOLOGY

A Pretest-Posttest Quasi-Experimental study design, consisting of intervention and control group, was applied among 340 pregnant women 18-49 years, in five health facilities, selected using two stage sampling in Lari Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya. Community health volunteers provided IFAS health education with weekly supplements and follow-ups to pregnant women in intervention group, while control group received the same from health care providers. Baseline and endline data were collected during ANC and compared. Quantitative data was analyzed using STATA version 14. Analysis of effect of intervention was done using Difference-In-Difference approach.

RESULTS

There was an effect difference in maternal IFAS knowledge of 13%, with intervention group levels increasing most by 35 percentage points. The odds of being knowledgeable were 3 times more at endline than baseline. There was significant (p<0.001) change in proportion with positive attitude towards IFAS: the odds of having positive attitude at endline was 9 times that of baseline (OR = 9.2:95%CI 3.1, 27.2).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of community based health education improved maternal knowledge, positive attitude and proportion of pregnant women counselled on IFAS, better improvement being recorded in intervention group. Hence, there is need to integrate community based approach with antenatal IFAS distribution to improve supplementation.

The use of folic acid, iron salts and other vitamins by pregnant women in the 2015 Pelotas birth cohort: is there socioeconomic inequality?

BACKGROUND

Many low- and middle-income countries recommend micronutrient supplements for pregnant women to improve their nutritional status, prevent possible deficiencies and avoid fetal healgth consequences. This study evaluated the influence of socioeconomic status on the use of folic acid, iron salts and other vitamins and minerals among pregnant women in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort.

METHODS

This population-based birth cohort study was carried out with 4270 women. Participants were interviewed during pregnancy and at the maternity hospital about the antenatal period; including the use of iron salts, vitamins and other minerals. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize the sample. The analyses were adjusted according to socioeconomic variables (maternal education, ethnicity, household income).

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of the use of folic acid, iron salts or other vitamins and minerals was 91.0% (95% CI: 90.1-91.8). Specifically, 70.9% (95% CI: 69.5-72.3) used folic acid, 72.9% (95% CI: 71.5-74.3) used iron compounds, and 31.8% (95% CI: 30.3-33.2) used other vitamins or minerals. In the adjusted analysis, the use of iron salts was associated with nonwhite mothers, with ≤4 years of education and whose family income was less than or equal to the monthly minimum wage. The use of folic acid and other vitamins and minerals was associated with white mothers who were more highly educated and had a higher family income.

CONCLUSION

Although folic acid and other vitamins and minerals were more frequently used in white, richer and more educated mothers, which indicates inequality, iron supplements were more frequently used in the poorer, less educated nonwhite mothers, suggesting the opposite association for this supplement.

Periconceptional folic acid supplementation in Southern Brazil: Why are not we doing it right?

Several countries, as Brazil, have public policies for periconceptional folic acid supplementation (FAS) in order to prevent unfavorable outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the FAS situation in a public reference hospital from Southern Brazil. This study included all mothers who had children born at the Hospital Materno Infantil Presidente Vargas, RS, Brazil, in a 1-year period. Data collection was conducted through interviews with application of a clinical protocol and analysis of the patients' records. FAS was defined as the use of folic acid in any period of the periconceptional period, irrespective of the duration and amount. We also classified those mothers who correctly followed the national recommendation proposed by the Health Ministry of Brazil. The sample consisted of 765 mothers evaluated soon after childbirth. Their ages ranged from 12 to 45 years (mean 25.2 years). The overall level of FAS was 51.5%, and the use according to the national recommendation occurred in only 1.6%. Factors associated with non-FAS consisted of lower maternal age (p = .009) and maternal schooling (p = .023), higher number of pregnancies (p = .003), fewer prenatal visits (p = .050) and later prenatal care onset (p = .037). Periconceptional FAS in our midst seems to be very far from the ideal goal. Susceptible groups appeared to be mothers who were younger, less educated, multiparous, and had inadequate prenatal care. We believe that efforts of education and awareness should be especially targeted for these groups. These recommendations should also be strengthened among those who prescribe the FAS.

Factors influencing maternal nutrition practices in a large scale maternal, newborn and child health program in Bangladesh

Improving maternal nutrition practices during pregnancy is essential to save lives and improve health outcomes for both mothers and babies. This paper examines the maternal, household, and health service factors influencing maternal nutrition practices in the context of a large scale maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) program in Bangladesh. Data were from a household survey of pregnant (n = 600) and recently delivered women (n = 2,000). Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the determinants of three outcomes: consumption of iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets, calcium tablets, and diverse diets. Women consumed 94 ± 68 IFA and 82 ± 66 calcium tablets (out of 180 as recommended) during pregnancy, and only half of them consumed an adequately diverse diet. Good nutrition knowledge was the key maternal factor associated with higher consumption of IFA (β = 32.5, 95% CI: 19.5, 45.6) and calcium tablets (β ~31.9, 95% CI: 20.9, 43.0) and diverse diet (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0-3.1), compared to poor knowledge. Women's self-efficacy in achieving the recommended practices and perception of enabling social norms were significantly associated with dietary diversity. At the household level, women who reported a high level of husband's support were more likely to consume IFA (β = 25.0, 95% CI: 18.0, 32.1) and calcium (β = 26.6, 95% CI: 19.4, 33.7) tablets and diverse diet (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.3), compared to those who received low support. Health service factors associated with higher intakes of IFA and calcium tablets were early and more prenatal care visits and receipt of free supplements. Combined exposure to several of these factors was attributed to the consumption of an additional 46 IFA and 53 calcium tablets and 17% higher proportions of women consuming diverse diets. Our study shows that improving knowledge, self-efficacy and perceptions of social norms among pregnant women, and increasing husbands' support, early registration in prenatal care, and provision of free supplements will largely improve maternal nutrition practices.

Factors Influencing Antenatal Haematinics Prescription Behaviour of Physicians in Calabar, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Routine iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnancy have been proved to be effective in reducing the prevalence and morbidities of anaemia. However, there is limited data regarding the prescription habits of physician obstetric care givers.

AIM

This study set to investigate the attitudes and factors which influence the practice among physicians in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A questionnaire based cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly recruited physician offering antenatal services between August and September 2015. Systemic sampling was used to select 70 doctors in the departmental duty roster. Data were presented in percentages and proportion. Chi-square test was used to test the association between variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The response rate was 100%. The mean age of the respondents was 30.26 ± 6.67 years. All the respondents routinely prescribed haematinics to pregnant women but 34.3% of them did not prescribe to apparently healthy clients in their first trimester. Only 30% and 11.4% of them prescribed it in the postnatal and preconception periods respectively. Brands that contained iron, folate and vitamins as a single capsule were mostly favoured, and information about brands of drugs was mostly provided by the pharmaceutical sales representatives. Younger doctors were more likely to offer haematinics with nutritional counselling compared to older respondents. However, there was no significant relationship between haematinics prescription and sex (p = 0.3560), Age (p = 0.839), current professional status (p = 0.783), and client complaint of side effect of medication (p = 0.23). Oral medication was mostly utilised.

CONCLUSION

Effort to effectively control anaemia in pregnancy should involve re-orientation of physician obstetric care providers especially about prenatal and postnatal medication and counselling.

Temporal trend in the reported birth prevalence of cleft lip and/or cleft palate in Brazil, 2000 to 2013

BACKGROUND

The birth prevalence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) in Brazil increased between the years from 1975 to 1994 but has not been evaluated for temporal trend since then.

METHODS

We used data from the Brazilian National Health Information System for the years 2000 through 2013. We calculated the reported CL/P birth prevalence each year per 10,000 live births and estimated the average increase in reported prevalence per year (and 95% confidence interval [CI]) by fitting a negative binomial regression model. We also estimated the temporal trend in each of the five Brazilian regions for this time period.

RESULTS

The overall reported birth prevalence was 4.85 (95% CI, 4.78-4.91) per 10,000 live births. The reported birth prevalence of CL/P increased over this time period, from 3.94 (95% CI, 3.73-4.17) per 10,000 in 2000 to 5.46 (95% CI, 5.20-5.74) per 10,000 in 2013. The temporal trend differed for different Brazilian geographic regions, being confined primarily to the Northeast (4.7% per year; 95% CI, 4.0%-5.5%), North (3.3% per year; 95% CI, 1.8%-4.7%), and Central (2.9% per year; 95% CI, 0.9%-4.9%) regions.

CONCLUSION

In recent years, there appears to be an upward trend in the reported prevalence of CL/P in Brazil, confined to the less developed regions of the country. The increase likely reflects improved surveillance; whether it also reflects etiologic differences is unknown. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:789-792, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Factors associated with non-adherence to prescribed iron supplement use: a study with pregnant women in the city of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract Objectives: to identify factors associated with non-use of iron supplements (IS) by pregnant women attending National Health System (SUS) prenatal care in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 2007/2008 with a representative sample of pregnant women using SUS hospitals and basic care in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The group that had gestational age of ≥ 20 weeks at the time of the interview and who had been prescribed IS (n=1407) was subjected to a Poisson multiple regression model to estimate the association between use and independent variables. Results: of the 1407 pregnant women, 65% reported use of IS. Younger age, black skin/race, larger number of births, not having received guidance on use of IS, not having tried to obtain IS at the SUS (with a stronger association between pregnant women with lower levels of education and lower household assets indicator - HAI) and not having been able to obtain them at the SUS (amongpregnant women with lower HAI) were significantly associated with non-use. Conclusions: the guidance of health professionals regarding use of IS and their regular availability may increase adherence to prescription among pregnant women and prevent iron deficiency anemia.

A biopsychosocial approach to the interrelation between motherhood and women's excessive weight

Portugal is characterized by a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among women, whose weight increases most rapidly in early adulthood. Individual genetic features and behaviours, along with social, cultural and environmental factors interact in complex relationships with body weight and with its variation throughout time. Motherhood may trigger an increase in weight, potentially influencing the associations between excessive weight and several other health determinants. Taking into account the quality of prenatal care within Portugal's health care system, regarding coverage and success in improved outcomes, we theoretically demonstrate why pregnancy and motherhood should be seen as opportunities for prevention and why a deeper knowledge about the interplay of biological, social and psychological determinants of weight at this stage of life can be useful to design more effective weight control interventions towards this population.

Folate and folic acid in the periconceptional period: recommendations from official health organizations in thirty-six countries worldwide and WHO

Objective

To summarize the recommendations on folate intake and folic acid supplementation and fortification in the periconceptional period, aimed at prevention of neural tube defects (NTD), provided by official health organizations in different countries worldwide and WHO.

Design

Information on recommendations for folate and folic acid intake in the periconceptional period was gathered from the websites of official national health organizations of several countries worldwide and from the WHO website.

Setting

WHO, selected developed countries and emerging economies, totalling thirty-six countries worldwide (some European, BRICS, G8, Asian Tiger/Asian Dragon and Australia).

Results

Recommendations differ between countries, although the majority (69·4 %) recommend a healthy diet plus a folic acid supplement of 400 µg/d from preconception (4–12 weeks) until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy (8–12 weeks). The same recommendation is issued by the WHO. Dosages for women at high risk of NTD are up to 4–5 mg/d (for 41·7 % of studied countries). The recommended intake for folate is in the range of 300–400 µg/d for women of childbearing age and 500–600 µg/d for pregnant women in different countries and WHO. Five countries emphasize the importance of a healthy diet rendering supplementation needless. By contrast, five others advise a healthy diet and supplementation plus mandatory fortification. Only one mentions the importance of ensuring an adequate folate status and refers to checking with a health-care provider on the need for supplements.

Conclusions

Different recommendations regarding folate and folic acid, seeking NTD prevention, are available worldwide; however, most countries and WHO focus on a healthy diet and folic acid supplementation of 400 µg/d periconceptionally.

[Factors associated with use of medication during first pregnancies in Rio Branco, Acre State, Brazil]

This cross-sectional study in a sample of 887 primigravidae in Rio Branco, Acre State, Brazil aimed to analyze factors associated with the use of medicines during the first pregnancy. Information was obtained from interviews and prenatal cards. Medicines were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System of the World Health Organization and risk categories according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Mean age was 21 years and mean number of medicines used was 2.42. The most frequently consumed medicines were antianemics (47.5%), supplements and vitamins (18.7%), analgesics (13.8%), and antibiotics (10.5%). In the risk categorization, 69.3% belonged to category A, 22.3% to B, 7.6% to C, and 0.8% to D. The odds of having used risky medicines were higher among primigravidae in unit B (OR = 2.10; 95%CI: 1.26-3.50), in the 19 to 24-year age bracket (OR = 2.79; 95%CI: 1.58-4.93), and in the presence of a medical prescription (OR = 1.86; 95%CI: 1.18-2.95). Essential drugs were less used by women with higher family income (OR = 0.63; 95%CI: 0.42-0.96) and those who had received private prenatal care (OR = 0.53; 95%CI: 0.38-0.74).

Nutritional knowledge as a determinant of vitamin and mineral supplementation during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy is a critical period for both woman and baby from a nutritional perspective. Nutritional education is considered an important tool for promoting a healthy lifestyle, but has not been studied as a determinant for maternal use of supplements during pregnancy, especially in Romania, where evidence about pregnancy and nutrition is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between nutritional knowledge and the use of folic acid, iron and multivitamin supplements during pregnancy and to assess the influence of socio-demographic factors and prenatal care.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study on a sample of 400 pregnant women admitted to the Cuza-Vodă Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinical Hospital in Iaşi, Romania, during August-September 2010. We collected self-reported data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, number of prenatal check-ups and the use of folic acid, iron and multivitamin supplements during pregnancy. We assessed nutritional knowledge using a standardized questionnaire divided into three sections: general nutritional recommendations for pregnant women; the roles of nutrients; and sources of nutrients. We used logistic regression to analyse the associations between these factors.

RESULTS

The prevalence of the use of supplements during pregnancy was 48% for folic acid, 45.3% for iron and 68% for multivitamins. Above-average nutritional knowledge was independently associated with the use of folic acid (aOR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.6-13.8), iron (aOR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.7) and multivitamins (aOR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2-6.8). The use of folic acid was independently associated with a higher level of formal education (aOR, 5.2; 95% CI, 2.1-12.8) and an early start in prenatal care (aOR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.0-11.1). Women with a higher education (aOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.9), more than 10 prenatal visits (aOR, 7.2; 95% CI, 3.4-15.0) and those who received advice on breastfeeding (aOR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.5) were more likely to use iron during pregnancy. Similar results were found when analysing the contributing factors for the use of multivitamins: more than 12 years of schooling (aOR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.4-7.9) and appropriate prenatal care (aOR, 9.4; 95% CI, 4.5-19.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Level of nutritional knowledge has a strong independent association with the use of supplements during pregnancy.

Planned and unplanned pregnancy: effects on health practice and depression during pregnancy

AIM

The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence and characteristics of women with unplanned pregnancy (UP) and to examine the associations between pregnancy planning status and women's health practice and depression during pregnancy in Manisa, Turkey.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted with pregnant women (n=550) who attended a state hospital for antenatal care in Manisa, Turkey. Health practices of women during pregnancy were assessed with the Health Practices Questionnaire (HPQ II) and depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

RESULTS

Of the 550 pregnancies, 149 (27.1%) were unplanned. Women whose pregnancies were planned were likely to be younger, more educated, employed, to perceive more social support and to be more satisfied in marriage life than women whose pregnancies were unplanned. The number of pregnancies, births and children was higher in women whose pregnancies were unplanned. Women with UP had significantly lower HPQ scores (mean 118.4, SD=13.5) than women with planned pregnancies (mean 124.0, SD=14.1). Women with UP also had a significantly higher score for BDI (mean 10.3, SD 6.9 vs mean 8.1, SD 5.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Women with UP had engaged in fewer healthy practices and experienced more depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Health-care providers should screen for UP at an early stage and offer health education programs to help women to develop positive health practices and to improve their emotional health.

Omega-3 supplements in pregnancy: are we too late to identify the possible benefits?

OBJECTIVE

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common and recurring illness. Most women who experience PPD do not seek professional help; for those who do, the available treatment options are not supported by extensive research evidence. Several lines of research have linked omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3) supplementation with a reduced risk of PPD. Although it has been suggested that women in the perinatal period consume sufficient omega-3 to potentially prevent PPD, there is a lack of definitive research evidence. This pilot study surveyed pregnant women's current use of omega-3, multivitamin, and other supplements, as well as their attitudes toward omega-3 research during pregnancy, to assess the feasibility of pregnant women's participation in a large randomized controlled trial evaluating omega-3 supplementation.

METHODS

Women attending prenatal clinics over a three-week period were invited to participate in a survey. The survey contained an information letter that was followed by a brief questionnaire assessing the use of nutritional supplements and opinions regarding the likelihood of participating in a clinical trial during pregnancy.

RESULTS

Of the 176 women who completed the survey, six women were in the first trimester of pregnancy, 82 were in the second trimester, and 87 were in the third trimester. One hundred fifty-nine respondents (90.3%) reported taking a multivitamin supplement but none were taking a supplement that contained omega-3; only 20 (11.4%) were taking omega-3. Seventy-eight women (44.4%) responded that they would participate in a clinical study evaluating the effects of fish oil on their health.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study indicate that many pregnant women take prenatal multivitamins and nutritional supplements, that there are currently few pregnant women attending clinics at our hospitals who are supplementing with omega-3, and that pregnant women would be willing to participate in a clinical trial evaluating the effects of omega-3.