title: Poor adherence to folic acid and iodine supplement recommendations in preconception and pregnancy: a cross-sectional analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine pregnant women's knowledge of and adherence to the recommendations for periconceptional folic acid supplementation (PFS) and iodine supplementation (IS). Secondary objectives include determining predictors of adherence, and identifying influential nutrition information sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 857 pregnant women, including a national cohort (n=455) recruited using an online panel provider and a South Australian cohort (n=402) recruited from a public maternity hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adherence to PFS and IS recommendations was 27% and 23%, respectively. Planning pregnancy and awareness of the correct timing of recommendations were predictors of adherence for both recommendations. Not consuming any alcohol during pregnancy and living in metropolitan areas also predicted adherence to the IS recommendation. Awareness of the recommendation was greater for folic acid (more than 90%) than iodine (56-69%). Knowledge of the importance of folic acid and iodine was greater than knowledge regarding the recommended dose and timing of supplementation. Main healthcare providers were considered the most influential nutrition information sources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of and adherence to supplement recommendations for preconception and pregnancy needs improvement. While main healthcare providers may play an important role, further research is needed to explore strategies for increasing adoption of recommendations.
authors: The Centre for Global Food and Resources, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.|Women's & Children's Health Research Institute, South Australia.
authors: Lenka
authors: L
authors: Malek
authors: The Centre for Global Food and Resources, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Umberger
authors: Women's & Children's Health Research Institute, South Australia.|Healthy Mothers, Babies and Children, South Australian Health Medical Research Institute.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Makrides
authors: Women's & Children's Health Research Institute, South Australia. jo.zhou@adelaide.edu.au.|School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, South Australia. jo.zhou@adelaide.edu.au.
authors: Shao J
authors: SJ
authors: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid; D007455:Iodine
keywords: Iodine; folic acid; nutrition knowledge; pregnancy; supplements