title: Adequacy of prenatal care as a major determinant of folic acid, iron, and vitamin intake during pregnancy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, Portugal. nlunet@med.up.pt
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lunet
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.forename: Henrique
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barros
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011174:Portugal; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D058085:Iron Compounds; D014815:Vitamins; D005492:Folic Acid