Knowledge and practices regarding iodine supplementation: A national survey of healthcare providers.
BACKGROUND
Little is known of healthcare providers' awareness and implementation of the National Health and Medical Research Council's recommendation regarding iodine supplementation during pre-conception, pregnancy and lactation.


OBJECTIVE
To assess knowledge and practices of Australian healthcare providers in relation to the National Health and Medical Research Council's iodine supplement recommendation.


METHODS
Obstetricians, gynaecologists, general practitioners, dietitians and midwives were recruited through their relevant professional bodies to participate in an online survey.


RESULTS
The survey was completed by 396 healthcare providers Australia-wide. While 71% of healthcare providers' were aware of the National Health and Medical Research Council's recommendation for iodine supplementation, fewer were aware of the recommended dose (38%) or duration (44%). Seventy-three percent of healthcare providers recommended iodine supplements in pregnancy, 56% when planning pregnancy and 52% during lactation. The main reasons for not recommending iodine supplements included belief there was no need for iodine supplements due to mandatory iodine fortification of food (28%) and unawareness of the recommendation (25%). Awareness of the recommendation was positively associated with recommending iodine supplements while length of practice, time spent per consultation, age or area of practice were not associated with recommending iodine supplements.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need to improve healthcare providers' knowledge of and adherence to the National Health and Medical Research Council's iodine supplement recommendation. Strategies within antenatal and postnatal services, as well as public health initiatives, are required to improve the knowledge and practices of healthcare providers.
School of Agriculture, Food & Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Waite Road, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia; Women's & Children's Health Research Institute, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia.
Kimberly
K
Guess
Women's & Children's Health Research Institute, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia; Global Food Studies, Faculty of the Professions, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
Lenka
L
Malek
Women's & Children's Health Research Institute, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia.
Amanda
A
Anderson
Women's & Children's Health Research Institute, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, SA 5000, Australia.
Maria
M
Makrides
School of Agriculture, Food & Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Waite Road, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia; Women's & Children's Health Research Institute, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia. Electronic address: jo.zhou@adelaide.edu.au.
Shao J
SJ
Zhou
D001315:Australia; D001942:Breast Feeding; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007774:Lactation; D008880:Midwifery; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007455:Iodine
Healthcare providers; Iodine supplementation; Knowledge; Practices; Pregnancy