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

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Lunet N (Author) FMUP; Rodrigues, T (Author) FMUP; Correia, S (Author) Other; Barros H (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Cadernos de Saúde Pública

Vol. 24 No. 5

Pages: 1151-1157

ISSN: 0102-311X

Publisher: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 18 Citations

Scopus - 25 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-ZJE

DOI: 10.1590/s0102-311x2008000500022

Abstract (EN): This study aimed to quantify the association between adequacy of prenatal care and prevalence of folic acid, iron, and multivitamin intake during pregnancy. Data were obtained on socio-demographics, prenatal care, pregnancy complications, and use of vitamin/mineral supplements for 836 women, using a postpartum interview. Associations with the use of vitamin/mineral supplements were quantified with risk ratios (RR), computed by generalized binomial regression. A high proportion of women reported the use of folic acid (81.9%), iron (55.4%), and multivitamins (76.2%) as supplements during pregnancy. Use of supplements was independently associated with adequacy of prenatal care ( adequate vs. inadequate: folic acid, RR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.58-3.29; iron, RR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.57-2.52, multivitamins, RR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.54-2.51). Higher schooling was also associated with increased use of folic acid ( RR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.18-1.70), but not multivitamins ( RR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77-0.98). Use of folic acid was less prevalent in single women ( RR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.48-0.95) and during unplanned pregnancies ( RR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.71-0.92). Adequacy of prenatal care is a major determinant of vitamin/mineral intake during pregnancy.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7